Monoclonal antibody

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides novel methods and compositions comprising highly specific and highly effective antibodies that specifically recognize and bind to specific epitopes from a range of β-amyloid proteins. The antibodies of the present invention are particularly useful for the treatment of ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly those ocular diseases associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/960,614, filed on Oct. 5, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/960,615, filed on Oct. 5, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to methods and compositions for the therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including amyloidosis, a group of disorders and abnormalities associated with amyloid protein such as Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloidosis is not a single disease entity but rather a diverse group of progressive disease processes characterized by extracellular tissue deposits of a waxy, starch-like protein called amyloid, which accumulates in one or more organs or body systems. As the amyloid deposits build up, they begin to interfere with the normal function of the organ or body system. There are at least 15 different types of amyloidosis. The major forms are primary amyloidosis without known antecedent, secondary amyloidosis following some other condition, and hereditary amyloidosis.

Secondary amyloidosis occurs in people who have a chronic infection or inflammatory disease, such as tuberculosis, a bacterial infection called familial Mediterranean fever, bone infections (osteomyelitis), rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the small intestine (granulomatous ileitis), Hodgkin's disease, and leprosy.

Amyloid protein fibrils, which account for about 90% of the amyloid material, comprise one of several different types of proteins. Certain of these proteins are capable of folding into so-called “beta-pleated” sheet fibrils, a unique protein configuration which exhibits binding sites for Congo red resulting in the unique staining properties of the amyloid protein. In addition, amyloid deposits are closely associated with the amyloid P (pentagonal) component (AP), a glycoprotein related to normal serum amyloid P (SAP), and with sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG), complex carbohydrates of connective tissue.

Many diseases of aging are based on or associated with amyloid-like proteins and are characterized, in part, by the buildup of extracellular deposits of amyloid or amyloid-like material that contribute to the pathogenesis, as well as the progression of the disease. These diseases include, but are not limited to, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), including diseases or conditions characterized by a loss of cognitive memory capacity such as, for example, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Lewy body dementia (LBD), Down's syndrome, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch type); and the Guam Parkinson-Dementia complex. Other diseases which are based on or associated with amyloid-like proteins are progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis; Creutzfeld Jacob disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV-related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), inclusion-body myositis (IBM), Adult Onset Diabetes; senile cardiac amyloidosis; endocrine tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits, the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma, the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition, the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis, the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration, the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis, and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

Although pathogenesis of these diseases may be diverse, their characteristic deposits often contain many shared molecular constituents. To a significant degree, this may be attributable to the local activation of pro-inflammatory pathways thereby associated with the concurrent deposition of activated complement components, acute phase reactants, immune modulators, and other inflammatory mediators (McGeer et al., 1994).

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurological disorder primarily thought to be caused by amyloid plaques, an accumulation of abnormal deposit of proteins in the brain. The most frequent type of amyloid found in the brain of affected individuals is composed primarily of Aβ fibrils. Scientific evidence demonstrates that an increase in the production and accumulation of beta-amyloid protein in plaques leads to nerve cell death, which contributes to the development and progression of AD. Loss of nerve cells in strategic brain areas, in turn, causes reduction in the neurotransmitters and impairment of memory. The proteins principally responsible for the plaque build up include amyloid precursor protein (APP) and two presenilins (presenilin I and presenilin II). Sequential cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is constitutively expressed and catabolized in most cells, by the enzymes β0 and γ secretase leads to the release of a 39 to 43 amino acid Aβ peptide. The degradation of APPs likely increases their propensity to aggregate in plaques. The Aβ(₁₋₄₂) fragment in particular has a high propensity of building aggregates due to two very hydrophobic amino acid residues at its C-terminus. The Aβ(₁₋₄₂) fragment is therefore believed to be mainly involved and responsible for the initiation of neuritic plaque formation in AD and to have, therefore, a high pathological potential. There is therefore a need for specific antibodies that can target and diffuse amyloid plaque formation.

The symptoms of AD manifest slowly and the first symptom may only be mild forgetfulness. In this stage, individuals may forget recent events, activities, the names of familiar people or things and may not be able to solve simple math problems. As the disease progresses, symptoms are more easily noticed and become serious enough to cause people with AD or their family members to seek medical help. Mid-stage symptoms of AD include forgetting how to do simple tasks such as grooming, and problems develop with speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. Later stage AD patients may become anxious or aggressive, may wander away from home and ultimately need total care.

Presently, the only definite way to diagnose AD is to identify plaques and tangles in brain tissue in an autopsy after death of the individual. Therefore, doctors can only make a diagnosis of “possible” or “probable” AD while the person is still alive. Using current methods, physicians can diagnose AD correctly up to 90 percent of the time using several tools to diagnose “probable” AD. Physicians ask questions about the person's general health, past medical problems, and the history of any difficulties the person has carrying out daily activities. Behavioral tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language provide information on cognitive degeneration and medical tests such as tests of blood, urine, or spinal fluid, and brain scans can provide some further information.

The management of AD consists of medication-based and non-medication based treatments. Treatments aimed at changing the underlying course of the disease (delaying or reversing the progression) have so far been largely unsuccessful. Medicines that restore the deficit (defect), or malfunctioning, in the chemical messengers of the nerve cells (neurotransmitters), in particular the cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) such as tacrine and rivastigmine, have been shown to improve symptoms. ChEIs impede the enzymatic degradation of neurotransmitters thereby increasing the amount of chemical messengers available to transmit the nerve signals in the brain.

For some people in the early and middle stages of the disease, the drugs tacrine (COGNEX®, Morris Plains, N.J.), donepezil (ARICEPT®, Tokyo, JP), rivastigmine (EXELON®, East Hanover, N.J.), or galantamine (REMINYL®, New Brunswick, N.J.) may help prevent some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. Another drug, memantine (NAMENDA®, New York, N.Y.), has been approved for treatment of moderate to severe AD. Medications are also available to address the psychiatric manifestations of AD. Also, some medicines may help control behavioral symptoms of AD such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. Treating these symptoms often makes patients more comfortable and makes their care easier for caregivers. Unfortunately, despite significant treatment advances showing that this class of agents is consistently better than a placebo, the disease continues to progress, and the average effect on mental functioning has only been modest. Many of the drugs used in AD medication such as, for example, ChEIs also have side effects that include gastrointestinal dysfunction, liver toxicity and weight loss.

Cortical visual deficits are often associated with AD, despite the negative finding of impaired visual acuity or ocular disease. Post-mortem evidence from AD patients has shown pathological changes in the pre-cortical visual structures and a reduction in optic nerve fibers.

Visual processing dysfunction in AD is also associated with neurological changes and pathology within the ventral pathway, that extend from the retina with the P-ganglion cells through the parvocelluar layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), reaching the inferotemporal cortex (IT), and the dorsal pathway that extends from the retina with the M-ganglion cells through the magnocellular layers of the LGN, reaching the middle temporal cortex. Senile plaques of AD patients create abnormalities and dysfunctions within these cortical regions. Senile plaques also cause a loss in visual perception tasks, such as a dysfunction in the facial recognition of familiar people, a condition known as prosopagnosia.

Other diseases that are based on or associated with the accumulation and deposit of amyloid-like protein are mild cognitive impairment, Lewy body dementia (LBD), Down's syndrome (trisomy 21), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), inclusion-body myositis (IBM), and ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a general term most commonly defined as a subtle but measurable memory disorder. A person with MCI experiences memory problems greater than normally expected with aging, but does not show other symptoms of dementia, such as impaired judgment or reasoning. MCI is a condition that frequently reflects a preclinical stage of AD.

The deposition of β-amyloid within the entorhinal cortex (EC) is believed to play a key role in the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly. This is in line with the observation that the CSF-A Aβ(₁₋₄₂) levels decline significantly once AD becomes clinically overt. In contrast to CSF-Aβ(₁₋₄₂) CSF-tau levels are significantly increased in the MCI stage. These values continue to be elevated thereafter, indicating that increased levels of CSF-tau may help in detecting MCI subjects who are predicted to develop AD.

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that can occur in persons older than 65 years of age, which typically causes symptoms of cognitive (thinking) impairment and abnormal behavioural changes. Symptoms can include cognitive impairment, neurological signs, sleep disorder, and autonomic failure. Cognitive impairment is the presenting feature of LBD in most cases. Patients have recurrent episodes of confusion that progressively worsen. The fluctuation in cognitive ability is often associated with shifting degrees of attention and alertness. Cognitive impairment and fluctuations of thinking may vary over minutes, hours, or days.

Lewy bodies are formed from phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated neurofilament proteins; they contain the synaptic protein alpha-synuclein as well as ubiquitin, part of an extra chromosome 21 and is often associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth. DS is characterized by premature aging: most individuals affected by the disease develop Alzheimer's disease in their fifth decade, including deposits of the plaque-forming protein amyloid-beta that are often more severe than in most other Alzheimer's patients. Furthermore, many people with DS develop cataracts beginning in childhood and many suffer from congenital glaucoma. In humans, the gene for amyloid precursor protein, which is cleaved to form amyloid-beta, is located on chromosome 21. In individuals affected by DS, both soluble and intracellular beta-amyloid accumulate before extracellular beta-amyloid, which is responsible for the formation of senile plaques. Increases in beta-amyloid levels in Down's Syndrome may reflect the increased expression and protein levels of beta-amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme 2 on chromosome 21.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. In some ALS patients, dementia or aphasia may be present (ALS-D). The dementia is most commonly a frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and many of these cases have ubiquitin-positive, tau-negative inclusions in neurons of the dentate gyrus and superficial layers of the frontal and temporal lobes.

Inclusion-body myositis (IBM) is a crippling disease usually found in people over age 50, in which muscle fibers develop inflammation and begin to atrophy, whereas the brain is spared and patients retain their full intellect. Two enzymes involved in the production of amyloid-β protein were found to be increased inside the muscle cells of patients with this most common, progressive muscle disease of older people, in which amyloid-β is also increased.

Down's Syndrome (DS) or trisomy 21 is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra chromosome 21 and is often associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth. DS is characterized by premature aging: most individuals affected by the disease develop Alzheimer's disease in their fifth decade, including deposits of the plaque-forming protein amyloid-beta that are often more severe than in most other Alzheimer's patients. Furthermore, many people with DS develop cataracts beginning in childhood and many suffer from congenital glaucoma. In humans, the gene for amyloid precursor protein, which is cleaved to form amyloid-beta, is located on chromosome 21. In individuals affected by DS both soluble and intracellular beta-amyloid accumulate before extracellular beta-amyloid, which is responsible for the formation of senile plaques. Increases in beta-amyloid levels in Down's Syndrome may reflect the increased expression and protein levels of beta-amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme 2 on chromosome 21.

Another disease that is based on or associated with the accumulation and deposit of amyloid-like protein is macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is a common eye disease that causes deterioration of the macula, which is the central area of the retina (the paper-thin tissue at the back of the eye where light-sensitive cells send visual signals to the brain). Sharp, clear, ‘straight ahead’ vision is processed by the macula. Damage to the macula results in the development of blind spots and blurred or distorted vision. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of visual impairment in the United States and for people over age 65 it is the leading cause of legal blindness among Caucasians. Approximately 1.8 million Americans age 40 and older have advanced AMD, and another 7.3 million people with intermediate AMD are at substantial risk for vision loss. The government estimates that by 2020 there will be 2.9 million people with advanced AMD. Victims of AMD are often surprised and frustrated to find out how little is known about the causes and treatment of this blinding condition.

There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry macular degeneration and wet macular degeneration. The dry form, in which the cells of the macula slowly begin to break down, is diagnosed in 85 percent of macular degeneration cases. Both eyes are usually affected by dry AMD, although one eye can lose vision while the other eye remains unaffected. Drusen, which are yellow deposits under the retina, are common early signs of dry AMD. The risk of developing advanced dry AMD or wet AMD increases as the number or size of the drusen increases. It is possible for dry AMD to advance and cause loss of vision without turning into the wet form of the disease; however, it is also possible for early-stage dry AMD to suddenly change into the wet form.

The wet form, although it only accounts for 15 percent of the cases, results in 90 percent of the blindness, and is considered advanced AMD (there is no early or intermediate stage of wet AMD). Wet AMD is always preceded by the dry form of the disease. As the dry form worsens, some people begin to have abnormal blood vessels growing behind the macula. These vessels are very fragile and will leak fluid and blood (hence ‘wet’ macular degeneration), causing rapid damage to the macula.

The dry form of AMD will initially often cause slightly blurred vision. The center of vision in particular may then become blurred and this region grows larger as the disease progresses. No symptoms may be noticed if only one eye is affected. In wet AMD, straight lines may appear wavy and central vision loss can occur rapidly.

Diagnosis of macular degeneration typically involves a dilated eye exam, visual acuity test, and a viewing of the back of the eye using a procedure called fundoscopy to help diagnose AMD, and, if wet AMD is suspected, fluorescein angiography may also be performed. If dry AMD reaches the advanced stages, there is no current treatment to prevent vision loss. However, a specific high dose formula of antioxidants and zinc may delay or prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage. Macugen® (pegaptanib sodium injection), laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy can control the abnormal blood vessel growth and bleeding in the macula, which is helpful for some people who have wet AMD; however, vision that is already lost will not be restored by these techniques. If vision is already lost, low vision aids exist that can help improve the quality of life.

One of the earliest signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the accumulation of drusen between the basal lamina of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's membrane (BM). Recent studies conducted by Anderson et al. have confirmed that drusen contains amyloid beta. (Experimental Eye Research 78 (2004) 243-256).

Ongoing research continues with studies exploring environmental, genetic, and dietary factors that may contribute to AMD. New treatment strategies are also being explored, including retinal cell transplants, drugs that will prevent or slow down the progress of the disease, radiation therapy, gene therapies, a computer chip implanted in the retina that may help stimulate vision and agents that will prevent the growth of new blood vessels under the macula.

An important factor to consider when developing new drugs is the ease of use for the target patients. Oral drug delivery, specifically tablets, capsules and softgels, account for 70% of all dosage forms consumed because of patient convenience. Drug developers agree that patients prefer oral delivery rather than subjecting themselves to injections or other, more invasive forms of medicinal administration. Formulations resulting in low dosing intervals (i.e. once a day or sustained release) are also preferable. The ease of administering antibiotics in oral dosage forms results in an increase of patient compliance during treatment.

What is needed are effective methods and compositions for the generation of highly specific and highly effective antibodies, which is a prerequisite if the antibodies are to be provided in an oral dosage form. Preferably such antibodies would recognize specific epitopes on various antigens such as amyloid protein.

What is also needed therefore, are effective compositions and methods for addressing the complications associated with diseases and disorders in subjects in need thereof which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including amyloidosis, a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque formation including secondary amyloidosis and age-related amyloidosis including, but not limited to, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), including diseases or conditions characterized by a loss of cognitive memory capacity such as, for example, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Lewy body dementia (LBD), Down's syndrome, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch type); the Guam Parkinson-Dementia complex; as well as other diseases which are based on or associated with amyloid-like proteins such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis, Creutzfeld Jacob disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV-related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), inclusion-body myositis (IBM), Adult Onset Diabetes; senile cardiac amyloidosis; endocrine tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy. In particular, what is needed are specialized and highly effective antibodies capable of counteracting the physiological manifestations of the disease, such as the formation of plaques associated with aggregation of fibers of the amyloid or amyloid-like peptide.

Anti-amyloid antibodies elicited by the inoculation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ mixed with Freund complete or incomplete adjuvant had proved capable to reduce the amyloid burden in transgenic mice for human Alzheimer disease (Schenk et al., 1999).

Intraperitonal inoculation of tetrapalmitoylated Aβ₁₋₁₆ reconstituted in liposomes to NORBA transgenic mice elicited significant titers of anti-amyloid antibodies, which also proved capable to solubilize amyloid fibers and plaques in vitro and in vivo. (Nicolau et al., 2002).

A possible mechanism by which the dissolution of amyloid plaques and fibres occurred was first suggested by Bard et al., (2000), who advanced the conclusion, based upon their data, that the antibodies opsonized the plaques, which were subsequently destroyed by the macrophages of the microglia. De Mattos et al., (2001) indicated that a MAb directed against the central domain of β-amyloid was able to bind and completely sequester plasma amyloid. They argued that the presence of these mAbs in circulation shifted the equilibrium of Aβ between brain and plasma, favoring the peripheral clearing and catabolism instead of deposition within the brain.

The present invention provides novel methods and compositions comprising highly specific and highly effective antibodies having the ability to specifically recognize and bind to specific β-amyloid proteins. The antibodies enabled by the teaching of the present invention are particularly useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders in subjects in need thereof which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including amyloidosis, a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque formation including secondary amyloidosis and age-related amyloidosis including, but not limited to, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), including diseases or conditions characterized by a loss of cognitive memory capacity such as, for example, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Lewy body dementia, Down's syndrome, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch type); the Guam Parkinson-Dementia complex; as well as other diseases which are based on or associated with amyloid-like proteins such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis; Creutzfeld Jacob disease, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis Dutch type, Parkinson's disease, HIV-related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), inclusion-body myositis (IBM), Adult Onset Diabetes; senile cardiac amyloidosis; endocrine tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

Moreover, the present invention provides novel methods and compositions for retaining or increasing the cognitive memory capacity in a mammal exhibiting an amyloid-associated disease or condition comprising administering to a subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of a monoclonal antibody according to the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention makes use of antigen presentations that result in enhanced exposure and stabilization of a preferred antigen conformation, which ultimately results in antibodies with unique properties.

In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or, more particularly, a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which has been raised against a supramolecular antigenic construct comprising an antigenic peptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence of the β-amyloid peptide, particularly of a selected fragment of the β-amyloid peptide, modified with a hydrophilic moiety such as, for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or, in the alternative, with a hydrophobic moiety, such as, for example, a palmitic acid, wherein said hydrophilic or hydrophobic moiety is covalently bound to each of the termini of the antigenic peptide through at least one, particularly one or two amino acids such as, for example, lysine, glutamic acid and cysteine or any other suitable amino acid or amino acid analogue capable of serving as a connecting device for coupling the hydrophilic or hydrophobic moiety to the peptide fragment.

When a hydrophilic moiety such as PEG is used, the selected fragment of the β-amyloid peptide may be a fragment corresponding to the amino acid sequence Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀, respectively, and the free PEG termini may be covalently bound to phosphatidylethanolamine or any other compound suitable to function as the anchoring element, for example to embed the antigenic construct in the bilayer of a liposome.

When a hydrophobic moiety such as a palmitic acid is used, the selected fragment of the β-amyloid peptide may be a fragment corresponding to the amino acid sequence Aβ₁₋₁₅ and this hydrophobic moiety may directly serve as the anchoring element, for example, to embed the antigenic construct in the bilayer of a liposome.

In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody recognizes and binds to a conformational epitope and binds to polymeric soluble amyloid and to amyloid fibrils or fibers, respectively, particularly to polymeric soluble amyloid Aβ peptides and amyloid Aβ fibrils or fibers, respectively.

In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody recognizes and binds to a conformational epitope preferentially displayed on polymeric soluble amyloid and oligomeric amyloid peptides, respectively, particularly on polymeric soluble amyloid Aβ peptides and oligomeric amyloid Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of monomeric Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptides, respectively.

In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody recognizes and binds to a conformational epitope preferentially displayed on polymeric soluble amyloid and oligomeric amyloid peptides, respectively, but also on amyloid fibrils or fibers, particularly on polymeric soluble amyloid Aβ peptides and oligomeric amyloid Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of monomeric Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptides, and on amyloid fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said oligomeric peptides, respectively.

The inheritance of the ε4 allele of the apolipoproteinE (apoE4) protein is a strong genetic risk factor for AD. This protein is able to bind to amyloid and is known to be involved in both the clearance of Aβ across the blood-brain-barrier as well as the promotion of Aβ deposition. In reverse, the binding of amyloid maps in the hydrophobic lipoprotein binding region of ApoE and this association dramatically diminish the overall lipid binding ability of ApoE.

Accordingly, it is a further embodiment of the invention to provide an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof as described herein, which antibody is capable of inhibiting or otherwise lessening the interaction of amyloid with ApoE4 in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human, particularly in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with increased concentration of Aβ in the brain. The antibody according to the present invention, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof; thus preferentially binds to polymeric soluble amyloid and oligomeric amyloid peptides, respectively, particularly to soluble polymeric Aβ peptides and oligomeric Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides, respectively. In one embodiment the invention relates to an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptides having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues but shows essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptides having fewer than 30 residues, particularly peptides having less than 20 residues, more particularly peptides having less than 10 residues, but especially peptides having 8 and less residues.

In one specific embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptides having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides but shows essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptides 17-40.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40, particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides, but shows essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40, particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides, but shows an intermediated binding to Aβ monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40, particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides but shows an intermediated binding to Aβ monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40.

In one embodiment the antibody according to the invention and as described herein, upon co-incubation with an Aβ monomeric peptide in a monomeric and/or an oligomeric form having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues in a monomeric and/or oligomeric form, but especially with an Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptide and/or a oligomeric peptide comprising a plurality of said Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides, particularly at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of up to 1:1000, but especially at a molar concentration ratio of between 1:10 and 1:100, inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers and/or oligomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils.

In particular, the co-incubation of the antibody according to the invention with amyloid monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides is carried out for 24 hours to 60 hours, particularly for 30 hours to 50 hours, more particularly for 48 hours at a temperature of between 28° C. and 40° C., particularly of between 32° C. and 38° C., more particularly at 37° C.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, co-incubation with amyloid monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides is accomplished for 48 hours at a temperature of 37° C.

In particular, the antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof binds preferentially to Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric peptide and, upon co-incubation with Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils.

In one embodiment, an antibody is provided, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds preferentially to Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric peptide particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and, upon co-incubation with Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils.

In one embodiment, an antibody is provided, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds preferentially to Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric peptide and also to Aβ₁₋₄₂, oligomeric and/or polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and, upon co-incubation with Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers and/or oligomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils.

In one embodiment, the antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 60%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 75%, even more particularly by at least 80%, but especially by at least 85%-90%, or more as compared to the respective amyloid peptide monomers incubated in buffer (control).

In one embodiment, an antibody is provided, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds preferentially to Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric peptide and also to Aβ₁₋₄₂, oligomeric and/or polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and, upon co-incubation with Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide for 24 hours at a temperature of 37° C. inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers and/or oligomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils by at least 10%, by at least 20%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 60%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 75%, even more particularly by at least 80%, but especially by at least 85%-90% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:100 and by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 60%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 75%, even more particularly by at least 80%, but especially by at least 85%-90% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:10 as determined by a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay, particularly a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay as described in Examples 1.4 and 2.4 below.

Binding of the antibodies according to the invention and as described herein to amyloidogenic monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides but, particularly, to the amyloid form (₁₋₄₂) leads to inhibition of the aggregation of monomeric and/or oligomeric amyloidogenic peptides to high molecular fibrils or filaments. Through the inhibition of the aggregation of amyloidogenic monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides the antibodies according to the present invention are capable of preventing or slowing down the formation of amyloid plaques, particularly the amyloid form (₁₋₄₂), which is known to become insoluble by a change of secondary conformation and to be the major part of amyloid plaques in brains of diseased animals or humans.

The aggregation inhibition potential of the antibody according to the invention may be determined by any suitable method known in the art, for example by density-gradient ultracentrifugation followed by a SDS-PAGE sedimentation analysis on a preformed gradient and/or by a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody as described herein including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody, upon co-incubation, particularly at a molar concentration ratio of between 1:10 and 1:1000, more particularly at a ratio of 1:100 with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues in a monomeric and/or oligomeric form comprising a plurality of said monomeric peptides, but especially Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides, is capable of disaggregating the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments by at least 20%, by at least 30%, by at least 35%, particularly by at least 40%, more particularly by at least 50%, even more particularly by at least 60%, but especially by at least 70% or more.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the aggregation inhibition and the disaggregation potential of the antibody, respectively, are determined by density-gradient ultracentrifugation followed by a SDS-PAGE sedimentation analysis on a preformed gradient.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, the aggregation inhibition and the disaggregation potential of the antibody, respectively, are determined by thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay.

In another specific embodiment, the antibody according to the invention is co-incubated with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments for 12 hours to 36 hours, particularly for 18 hours to 30 hours, more particularly for 24 hours at a temperature of between 28° C. and 40° C., particularly of between 32° C. and 38° C., more particularly at 37° C.

In particular, the co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments is performed for 24 hours at a temperature of 37° C.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds preferentially to Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric peptide particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and, upon co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides is capable of disaggregating the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments, particularly by at least 5%, by at least 10%, by at least 20%, particularly by at least 30%, more particularly by at least 40%, even more particularly by at least 50%, but especially by at least 60%, and even more particularly by 70% or more.

In particular, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds preferentially to Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric peptide and also to Aβ₁₋₄₂, oligomeric and/or polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and, upon co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides is capable of disaggregating the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments, particularly by at least 5%, by at least 10%, by at least 20%, particularly by at least 30%, more particularly by at least 40%, even more particularly by at least 50%, but especially by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80% or more.

In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds preferentially to Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric peptide and also to Aβ₁₋₄₂, oligomeric and/or polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and upon co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide for 24 hours at a temperature of 37° C. results in a disaggregation of the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments by at least 5%, by at least 10%, by at least 20%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 55%, particularly by at least 60%, more particularly by at least 70% and more, at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:100 and by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 60%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 75%, even more particularly by at least 80%, but especially by at least 85%-90% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:10 as determined by a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay, particularly a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay as described in Examples 1.4 and 2.4 below.

Through both the inhibition of the aggregation of amyloid protein and through the disaggregation of amyloidogenic polymeric fibrils or filaments the antibodies according to the present invention are capable of preventing or slowing down the formation of amyloid plaques which leads to an alleviation of the symptoms associated with the disease and a delay or reversal of its progression.

Accordingly, it is a further embodiment of the invention to provide an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof as described herein, which antibody is capable of decreasing the total amount of Aβ in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with increased concentration of Aβ in the brain.

In another embodiment of the invention an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof as described herein is provided, which antibody is capable of disrupting plaques thus decreasing the plaque load in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with an increased plaque load in the brain. An antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof decreases the plaque load in the brain by at least 10%, by at least 20%, particularly by at least 25%, more particularly by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 60%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 75%, even more particularly by at least 80%, but especially by at least 85%-90%.

In still another embodiment of the invention an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof as described herein is provided, which antibody is capable of solubilizing plaques associated with a reduction of the amount of plaques in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with an increased plaque load in the brain. An antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof reduces the amount of plaques in the brain by at least 10%, particularly by at least 15%, more particularly by at least 20%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 60%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 75%, even more particularly by at least 80%, but especially by at least 85%-90%.

It is to be understood that the antibody according to the invention can exhibit one, two or more of the specific properties described herein in various combinations.

For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides antibodies, but especially monoclonal antibodies including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibodies are bi-specific or bi-effective in that they exhibit both an aggregation inhibition property as well as a disaggregation property as defined herein, particularly paired with a high degree of conformational sensitivity.

In one embodiment, an antibody according to the invention and as described herein is bi-specific or bi-effective and, upon co-incubation with an Aβ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues in a monomeric and/or oligomeric form comprising a plurality of said monomeric peptides, but especially with an Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide, inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils and, in addition, upon co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues in a monomeric and/or oligomeric form comprising a plurality of said monomeric peptides, but especially Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides, is capable of disaggregating the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments

In particular, co-incubation with amyloid monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides and preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments, respectively, takes place at a molar concentration ratio of up to 1:1000, but especially at a molar concentration ratio of between 1:10 and 1:100, particularly at a molar concentration ratio of 1:100.

Co-incubation of an antibody according to the invention with amyloid monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides is carried out for 24 hours to 60 hours, particularly for 30 hours to 50 hours, more particularly for 48 hours at a temperature of between 28° C. and 40° C., particularly of between 32° C. and 38° C., more particularly at 37° C., whereas the co-incubation with amyloid preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments is carried out for 12 hours to 36 hours, particularly for 18 hours to 30 hours, more particularly for 24 hours at a temperature of between 28° C. and 40° C., particularly of between 32° C. and 38° C., more particularly at 37° C.

In one embodiment, a bi-specific or bi-effective antibody according to the invention and as described herein, is capable of disaggregating the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments by at least 5%, by at least 10%, by at least 20%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 55%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 70%, even more particularly by at least 70%, but especially by at least 75%-80%.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a bi-specific or bi-effective antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody inhibits the aggregation of, Aβ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues in a monomeric and/or oligomeric form comprising a plurality of said monomeric peptides, but especially Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 75%, even more particularly by at least 80%, but especially by at least 85-90%, or more as compared to the respective amyloid peptide monomers incubated in buffer (control).

In one embodiment, the invention provides a bi-specific or bi-effective antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody exhibits high specificity to Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric peptides particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides, but shows essentially no or only minor to moderate cross-reactivity to an amyloid peptide monomer selected from the group consisting of Aβ₁₋₂₈, Aβ₁₇₋₄₀, Aβ₁₋₃₈, Aβ₁₋₃₉, Aβ₁₋₄₁, and/or Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides.

In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody is up to 1000 fold, particularly 50 to 100 fold, more particularly 80 to 100 fold, but especially 100 fold more sensitive to amyloid peptide Aβ₁₋₄₀ as compared to Aβ₁₋₂₈, Aβ₁₇₋₄₀, Aβ₁₋₃₈, Aβ₁₋₃₉, Aβ₁₋₄₁, Aβ₁₋₄₂ and capable of inhibiting, in vitro and in vivo, the aggregation of amyloidogenic monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides.

In one embodiment, a bi-specific or bi-effective antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds preferentially to Aβ₁₋₄₀ monomeric peptide and also to Aβ₁₋₄₂, oligomeric and/or polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and, upon co-incubation with Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide for 24 hours at a temperature of 37° C. inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers and/or oligomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils by at least 5%, by at least 10%, by at least 20%, by at least 25%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 55%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 70%, at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:100 and by at least 10%, by at least 20%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at least 50%, particularly by at least 60%, particularly by at least 65%, more particularly by at least 75%, even more particularly by at least 80%, but especially by at least 85%-90% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:10 and upon co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide for 24 hours at a temperature of 37° C. results in a disaggregation of the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments by at least 10% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:100 and by at least 20% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:10 as determined by a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay, particularly a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay as described in Examples 1.4 and 2.4 below.

In another specific embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody has a high binding sensitivity to amyloid peptide Aβ₁₋₄₀ and is capable of detecting Aβ₁₋₄₂ soluble oligomers and/or polymeric amyloid peptides in a concentration of up to 0.01 μg, but particularly in a concentration range of between 0.5 μg and 0.01 μg, more particularly between 0.1 μg and 0.01 μg, but especially in a concentration of 0.01 μg.

In one embodiment, the invention provides an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody has been raised against a supramolecular antigenic construct comprising an antigenic peptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence of the β-amyloid peptide, Aβ₁₋₁₅, modified with hydrophobic palmitic acid moieties, wherein said hydrophobic moiety is covalently bound to each terminus through an amino acid such as, for example, lysine or any other suitable amino acid or amino acid analogue capable of serving as a linker molecule.

The antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof recognizes and binds to a conformational epitope.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a light chain variable region exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 7, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the light chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 9-11, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a heavy chain variable region exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 8, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the heavy chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 12-14, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

Further, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a light chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 7, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the light chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 9-11, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

Further, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 8, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the heavy chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 12-14, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein, wherein said antibody comprises a light chain and a heavy chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 8, or a functional part thereof comprising part or all the heavy and the light chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 9-14.

The invention further relates to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof which antibody comprises a polypeptide sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 7 and/or- SEQ ID NO: 8. The invention further relates to the monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8.

Also comprised by the present invention is an antibody the sequence of which has been altered by introducing at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 or more conservative substitutions into the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 7-8, such that the antibody essentially maintains its full functionality.

In one embodiment the invention relates to a peptide fragment comprising the light chain CDR1 as given in SEQ ID NO:9 and/or the light chain CDR2 as given in SEQ ID NO:10 and/or the light chain CDR3 as given in SEQ ID NO:11.

In one embodiment the invention relates to a peptide fragment comprising the heavy chain CDR1 as given in SEQ ID NO:12 and/or the heavy chain CDR2 as given in SEQ ID NO:13 and/or the heavy chain CDR3 as given in SEQ ID NO:14.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the light chain CDR1 as given in SEQ ID NO:9.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the light chain CDR2 as given in SEQ ID NO:10.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the light chain CDR3 as given in SEQ ID NO:11.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the heavy chain CDR1 as given in SEQ ID NO:12.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the heavy chain CDR2 as given in SEQ ID NO:13.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the heavy chain CDR3 as given in SEQ ID NO:14.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain variable region exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 7, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the light chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 9-11, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 8, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the heavy chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 12-14, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a light chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 7, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the light chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 9-11, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 8, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the heavy chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 12-14, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a light chain and a heavy chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given SEQ ID NO: 7 and in SEQ ID NO: 8, or a functional part thereof comprising the light chain and the heavy chain CDRs having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 9-14.

In another embodiment of the invention, a polynucleotide is provided comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the antibody according to the invention as described herein, but particularly a nucleotide sequence encoding the monoclonal antibody having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8. In particular these polynucleotide sequences are SEQ ID NOs: 15-16.

In another embodiment, a polynucleotide is provided which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleotide sequence encoding the monoclonal antibody having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8. In particular a polynucleotide is provided which hybridizes under stringent conditions to nucleotides sequences SEQ ID NOs: 15-16.

In particular, position 52 of SEQ ID NO: 8, may be any amino acid. In a further embodiment, position 52 may be a tyrosine, serine, or cysteine residue. More particularly position 52 is a cysteine residue.

In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof which antibody has the characteristic properties of an antibody produced by hybridoma cell line EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 and given deposit number DSM ACC2844

In particular, the invention relates to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof produced by hybridoma cell line EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 and given deposit number DSM ACC2844.

In particular, the invention also relates to an Aβ epitope which binds to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody has been raised against a supramolecular antigenic construct comprising an antigenic peptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence of the β-amyloid peptide, Aβ₁₋₁₅, modified with hydrophobic palmitic acid moieties, wherein said hydrophobic moiety is covalently bound to each terminus through an amino acid such as, for example, lysine or any other suitable amino acid or amino acid analogue capable of serving as a linker molecule. The invention further relates to the Aβ epitope which bind to the monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3.

In one embodiment the invention relates to an antibody, as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptides having at least 10, particularly at least 20, more particularly at least 30, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues, and/or to soluble polymeric amyloid peptides comprising a plurality of said amyloid monomeric peptides and/or to amyloid fibers or fibrils incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides but especially to an Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptide and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, and shows essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptides having 8 or fewer amino acid residues.

In one specific embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptides having at least 30, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues, and/or to soluble polymeric amyloid peptides comprising a plurality of said amyloid monomeric peptides and/or to amyloid fibers or fibrils incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides but especially to an Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptide and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of β₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows essentially no binding to β monomeric peptide 17-40.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40.

In particular, the antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, binds to Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptide and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40, and, upon co-incubation with Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide, inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils.

In one embodiment, the antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers and/or oligomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils by at least 20%, by at least 30%, particularly by at least 40%, particularly by at least 50%, more particularly by at least 60%, even more particularly by at least 70%, but especially by at least 80%-90%, or more as compared to the respective amyloid peptide monomers incubated in buffer (control).

In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptide and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and, upon co-incubation with Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide for 24 hours at a temperature of 37° C. inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils by at least 20%, by at least 30%, particularly by at least 40%, particularly by at least 50%, more particularly by at least 60%, even more particularly by at least 70% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:100 and by at least 50%, more particularly by at least 60%, more particularly by at least 65%, even more particularly by at least 70% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:10 as determined by a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay, particularly a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay as described in Examples 1.4 and 2.4.

In particular, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly the monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptide and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40, and, upon co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides is capable of disaggregating the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments, particularly by at least 10%, by at least 20%, particularly by at least 30%, more particularly by at least 40%, even more particularly by at least 50%, but especially by at least 60% or more.

In one embodiment of the invention, an antibody is provided, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptide and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and, upon co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide for 24 hours at a temperature of 37° C. results in a disaggregation of the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments by at least 10%, by at least 20%, by at least 30%, particularly by at least 40%, particularly by at least 50%, more particularly by at least 60%, even more particularly by at least 70%, at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:100 and by at least 40%, particularly by at least 50%, more particularly by at least 60%, even more particularly by at least 70% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:10 as determined by a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay, particularly a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay as described in Examples 1.4 and 2.4 below.

Through the inhibition of the aggregation of amyloid protein and/or through the disaggregation of amyloidogenic polymeric fibrils or filaments the antibodies according to the present invention are capable of preventing or slowing down the formation of amyloid plaques which leads to an alleviation of the symptoms associated with the disease and a delay or reversal of its progression.

Accordingly, it is a further embodiment of the invention to provide an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof as described herein, which antibody is capable of decreasing the total amount of Aβ in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with to increased concentration of Aβ in the brain.

In another embodiment of the invention, an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof as described herein is provided, which antibody is capable of disrupting plaques thus decreasing the plaque load in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with an increased plaque load in the brain. An antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof decreases the plaque load in the brain by at least 20%, particularly by at least 25%, more particularly by at least 30%, even more particularly more than 30%.

In still another embodiment of the invention an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof as described herein is provided, which antibody is capable of solubilizing plaques associated with a reduction of the amount of plaques in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with an increased plaque load in the brain. An antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof reduces the amount of plaques in the brain by at least 10%, particularly by at least 15%, more particularly by at least 20%.

It is to be understood that an antibody according to the invention can exhibit one, two or more of the specific properties described herein in various combinations.

For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides antibodies, but especially monoclonal antibodies including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibodies are bi-specific or bi-effective in that they exhibit both an aggregation inhibition property as well as a disaggregation property as defined herein, particularly paired with a high degree of conformational sensitivity.

In one embodiment, an antibody according to the invention and as described herein is bi-specific or bi-effective and, upon co-incubation with an Aβ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues, but especially with an Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide, inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils and, in addition, upon co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues and, but especially Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides, is capable of disaggregating the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments.

In particular, co-incubation with amyloid monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides and preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments, respectively, takes place at a molar concentration ratio of up to 1:1000, but especially at a molar concentration ratio of between 1:10 and 1:1000, particularly at a molar concentration ratio of 1:100.

Co-incubation of an antibody according to the invention with amyloid monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides is carried out for 24 hours to 60 hours, particularly for 30 hours to 50 hours, more particularly for 48 hours at a temperature of between 28° C. and 40° C., particularly of between 32° C. and 38° C., more particularly at 37° C., whereas the co-incubation with amyloid preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments is carried out for 12 hours to 36 hours, particularly for 18 hours to 30 hours, more particularly for 24 hours at a temperature of between 28° C. and 40° C., particularly of between 32° C. and 38° C., more particularly at 37° C.

In one embodiment, a bi-specific or bi-effective antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, is capable of disaggregating the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments by at least 10%, by at least 20%, by at least 30%, particularly by at least 40%, particularly by at least 50%, more particularly by at least 60%, even more particularly by at least 70%.

In one embodiment, a bi-specific or bi-effective antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of Aβ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides having at least 30, particularly at least 35, more particularly at least 38, even more particularly at least 40 amino acid residues, but especially Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides by at least 30%, particularly by at least 40%, particularly by at least 50%, more particularly by at least 60%, even more particularly by at least 70%, but especially by at least 80-90%, or more as compared to the respective amyloid peptide monomers incubated in buffer (control).

In one embodiment, the invention provides a bi-specific or bi-effective antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody exhibits high specificity to Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides but shows essentially no or only minor cross-reactivity to an amyloid peptide monomer selected from the group consisting of Aβ₁₋₂₈, and Aβ₁₇₋₄₀ monomeric peptides.

In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody is up to 1000 fold, particularly 50 to 1000 fold, more particularly 80 to 100 fold, but especially 100 fold more sensitive to amyloid peptide Aβ₁₋₄₂ as compared to Aβ₁₋₂₈, and/or Aβ₁₇₋₄₀, and is capable of inhibiting, in vitro and in vivo, the aggregation of amyloidogenic monomeric and/or oligomeric peptides and/or of disaggregating preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a bi-specific or bi-effective antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptide and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and/or essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40 and, upon co-incubation with Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide for 24 hours at a temperature of 37° C. inhibits the aggregation of the Aβ monomers to high molecular polymeric fibrils by at least 30% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:100 and by at least 65% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:10 and, upon co-incubation with preformed high molecular polymeric amyloid fibrils or filaments formed by the aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric and/or oligomeric peptide for 24 hours at a temperature of 37° C. results in a disaggregation of the preformed polymeric fibrils or filaments by at least 20%, at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:100 and by at least 50% at a molar concentration ratio of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ of 1:10 as determined by a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay, particularly a thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay as described in Examples 1.4 and 2.4 below.

In another specific embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody has a high binding sensitivity to amyloid peptide Aβ₁₋₄₂ and is capable of detecting Aβ₁₋₄₂ fibers in a concentration of up to 0.01 μg, but particularly in a concentration range of between 0.5 μg and 0.01 μg, more particularly between 0.1 μg and 0.01 μg, but especially in a concentration of 0.01 μg.

In one embodiment, the invention provides an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody has been raised against a supramolecular antigenic construct comprising an antigenic peptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence of the β-amyloid peptide Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀, respectively, modified with a hydrophilic moiety such as, for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG), wherein said hydrophilic moiety is covalently bound to each terminus through an amino acid such as, for example, lysine or any other suitable amino acid or amino acid analogue capable of serving as a linker molecule.

The antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof recognizes and binds to a conformational epitope.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a light chain variable region exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 17 and SEQ ID NO: 19, respectively, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the light chain CDRs, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a heavy chain variable region exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 18 and SEQ ID NO: 20, respectively, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the heavy chain CDRs, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

Further, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a light chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 17 and SEQ ID NO: 19, respectively, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the light chain CDRs, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

Further, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 18 and SEQ ID NO: 20, respectively, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the heavy chain CDRs, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein, wherein said antibody comprises a light chain and a heavy chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 18 and SEQ ID NO: 20, or a functional part thereof comprising part or all the heavy and the light chain CDRs.

The invention further relates to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof which antibody comprises the polypeptide sequence as given in SEQ ID NOs: 17 and SEQ ID NOs: 19 and/or in SEQ ID NO: 18 and SEQ ID NO: 20. The invention further relates to the monoclonal antibody ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 17-18 and ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 19-20.

Also comprised by the present invention is an antibody the sequence of which has been altered by introducing at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 or more conservative substitutions into the sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 and SEQ ID NOs: 19-20, respectively, such that the antibody essentially maintains its full functionality.

In one embodiment the invention relates to a peptide fragment comprising the light chain CDR1 as given in SEQ ID NO: 21 and/or the light chain CDR2 as given in SEQ ID NO: 22 and/or the light chain CDR3 as given in SEQ ID NO: 23.

In one embodiment the invention relates to a peptide fragment comprising the heavy chain CDR1 as given in SEQ ID NO: 24 and/or the heavy chain CDR2 as given in SEQ ID NO: 25 and/or the heavy chain CDR3 as given in SEQ ID NO: 26.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the light chain CDR1 as given in SEQ ID NO: 21.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the light chain CDR2 as given in SEQ ID NO: 22.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the light chain CDR3 as given in SEQ ID NO: 23.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the heavy chain CDR1 as given in SEQ ID NO: 24.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the heavy chain CDR2 as given in SEQ ID NO: 25.

In one embodiment the invention relates to the heavy chain CDR3 as given in SEQ ID NO: 26.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a light chain variable region exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 17 and SEQ ID NO: 19, respectively, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the light chain CDRs as depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 21-23, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 18 and SEQ ID NO: 20, respectively, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the heavy chain CDRs as depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 24-26, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a light chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 17 and SEQ ID NO: 19, respectively, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the light chain CDRs as depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 21-23, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a heavy chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 18 and SEQ ID NO: 20, respectively, or a functional part thereof comprising at least one, particularly at least two, more particularly at least 3 of the heavy chain CDRs as depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 24-26, but especially all CDRs embedded in their natural framework regions.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof according to the present invention and as described herein wherein said antibody comprises a light chain and a heavy chain variable domain exhibiting an amino acid sequence that is 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the sequences given SEQ ID NO: 17 and SEQ ID NO: 19 and in SEQ ID NO: 18 and SEQ ID NO: 20, respectively, or a functional part thereof comprising the light chain and the heavy chain CDRs as depicted in SEQ ID NOs: 21-26.

In another embodiment of the invention, a polynucleotide is provided comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the antibody according to the invention as described herein, but particularly a nucleotide sequence encoding a monoclonal antibody having the polypeptide sequences in SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or a monoclonal antibody having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 19-20. In particular, the polynucleotides encoding SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 and SEQ ID NOs: 19-20 are SEQ ID NOs: 27-28 and SEQ ID NO: 29-30, respectively.

In another embodiment, a polynucleotide is provided which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleotide sequence encoding the monoclonal antibody having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or a monoclonal antibody having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 19-20. In particular a polynucleotide is provided which hybridizes under stringent conditions to nucleotides sequences SEQ ID NOs: 27-28 or. SEQ ID NO: 29-30. In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof which antibody has the characteristic properties of an antibody produced by hybridoma cell line FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845.

In particular, the invention relates to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof produced by hybridoma cell line FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845.

In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof which antibody has the characteristic properties of an antibody produced by hybridoma cell line FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In particular, the invention relates to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof produced by hybridoma cell line FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In particular, the invention also relates to an Aβ epitope which bind to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody has been raised against a supramolecular antigenic construct comprising an antigenic peptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence of the β-amyloid peptide, Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀, respectively, modified with a hydrophilic moiety such as, for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG), wherein said hydrophilic moiety is covalently bound to each terminus through an amino acid such as, for example, lysine or any other suitable amino acid or amino acid analogue capable of serving as a linker molecule. The invention further relates to an Aβ epitope which binds to the monoclonal antibody ACI-11-Ab-9. The invention further relates to an Aβ epitope which binds to the monoclonal antibody ACI-12-Ab-11. In one aspect, the antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof is capable of decreasing the total amount of soluble Aβ in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with increased concentrations of soluble Aβ in the brain.

In another aspect, an antibody according to the invention and as described herein is capable of disrupting plaques thus decreasing the plaque load in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with an increased plaque load in the brain.

In another aspect, the antibody according to the invention and as described herein is capable of solubilizing plaques associated with a reduction of the amount of plaques in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with an increased plaque load in the brain.

It is another object of the present invention to provide methods and compositions comprising an antibody according to the invention and as described herein for the prevention and/or therapeutic treatment and/or alleviation of the effects of diseases and disorders in a subject in need thereof which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins, by passively immunizing a subject, including a mammal or a human, with an antibody according to the invention and as described herein before. These diseases and disorders include, but are not limited to, amyloidosis, a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque formation including secondary amyloidosis and age-related amyloidosis such as diseases including, but not limited to, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), diseases or conditions characterized by a loss of cognitive memory capacity such as, for example, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Lewy body dementia, Down's syndrome, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch type), the Guam Parkinson-Dementia complex; as well as other diseases and conditions which are based on or associated with amyloid-like proteins such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis; Creutzfeld Jacob disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV-related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), inclusion-body myositis (IBM), Adult Onset Diabetes; and senile cardiac amyloidosis); endocrine tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits, the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma, the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition, the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis, the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration.

In a specific aspect of the invention, the monoclonal antibody of these methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein.

In another specific aspect of the invention, the monoclonal antibody of these methods is ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 9-10, respectively, or a functional part thereof as described herein.

The invention further relates to a therapeutic composition comprising an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, in a therapeutically effective amount.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, particularly in a therapeutically effective amount.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a composition as described herein for use in the treatment of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including, but not limited to, amyloidosis, tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits, the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma, the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition, the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis, the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration.

In a specific aspect of such embodiments, the monoclonal antibody used is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein.

In another specific aspect of such embodiments, the monoclonal antibody used is selected from monoclonal antibody ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 and monoclonal antibody ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20 or a functional part thereof as described herein.

An antibody according to the invention, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof may be administered in combination with other biologically active substances or other treatment procedures for the treatment of diseases. The other biologically active substances may be part of the same composition already comprising an antibody according to the invention, in the form of a mixture, wherein the antibody and the other biologically active substance are intermixed in or with the same pharmaceutically acceptable solvent and/or carrier or the antibody and the other biologically active substance may be provided separately as part of a separate composition, which may be offered separately or together in the form of a kit of parts.

The antibody, particularly the monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof may be administered to a subject in need thereof at the same time with the other biologically active substance or substances, intermittently or sequentially. For example, a monoclonal antibody according to the invention including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof may be administered simultaneously with a first additional biologically active substance or sequentially after or before administration of the antibody. If an application scheme is chosen where more than one additional biologically active substance are administered together with the at least one antibody according to the invention, the compounds or substances may partially be administered simultaneously, partially sequentially in various combinations.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a composition comprising an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof in a therapeutically effective amount and a further biologically active substance or compound, particularly a compound used in the medication of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including, but not limited to, amyloidosis, endocrine tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits, the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma, the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition, the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis, the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or a diluent and/or an excipient.

In one embodiment, a composition is provided according to the invention and as described herein comprising an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, and further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds against oxidative stress, anti-apoptotic compounds, metal chelators, inhibitors of DNA repair such as pirenzepin and metabolites, 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid (3APS), 1,3-propanedisulfonate (1,3PDS), secretase activators, β- and γ-secretase inhibitors, tau proteins, neurotransmitter, β-sheet breakers, anti-inflammatory molecules, or cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) such as tacrine, rivastigmine, donepezil, and/or galantamine and other drugs and nutritive supplements, and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or a diluent and/or an excipient.

In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprising an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, further comprising at least one compound is a cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEIs).

In another specific embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprising an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, further comprising at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of tacrine, rivastigmine, donepezil, galantamine, niacin and memantine.

In still another embodiment of the invention compositions are provided comprising an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, further comprising at least one “atypical antipsychotic” such as, for example clozapine, ziprasidone, risperidone, aripiprazole or olanzapine for the treatment of positive and negative psychotic symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders (manifested by marked incoherence, derailment, tangentiality), and bizarre or disorganized behavior, as well as anhedonia, flattened affect, apathy, and social withdrawal, and, optionally, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or a diluent and/or an excipient.

Other compounds that can be suitably used in compositions in combination with an antibody according to the present invention, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, are, for example, described in WO 2004/058258 (see especially pages 16 and 17) including therapeutic drug targets (page 36-39), alkanesulfonic acids and alkanolsulfuric acids (pages 39-51), cholinesterase inhibitors (pages 51-56), NMDA receptor antagonists (pages 56-58), estrogens (pages 58-59), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (pages 60-61), antioxidants (pages 61-62), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists (pages 63-67), cholesterol-lowering agents (pages 68-75); amyloid inhibitors (pages 75-77), amyloid formation inhibitors (pages 77-78), metal chelators (pages 78-79), anti-psychotics and anti-depressants (pages 80-82), nutritional supplements (pages 83-89) and compounds increasing the availability of biologically active substances in the brain (see pages 89-93) and prodrugs (pages 93 and 94), which document is incorporated herein by reference.

In particular, the composition according to the invention comprises the monoclonal antibody and/or the biologically active substance, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, in a therapeutically effective amount.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of producing an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which method comprises raising in a suitable host organism an antibody against a supramolecular antigenic construct comprising an antigenic peptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence of the β-amyloid peptide or a fragment thereof, particularly of β-amyloid peptide Aβ₁₋₁₅, modified with hydrophobic moieties, particularly a palmitic acid moiety, or, in the alternative, particularly of β-amyloid peptide Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀, respectively, modified with hydrophilic moieties, particularly a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety, wherein said hydrophobic or hydrophilic moiety is covalently bound to each terminus through at least one, particularly one or two amino acids such as, for example, lysine, glutamic acid and cysteine or any other suitable amino acid or amino acid analogue capable of serving as a linker molecule; and isolating the antibody.

When a hydrophilic moiety such as PEG is used, the selected fragment of the β-amyloid peptide may be a fragment corresponding to the amino acid sequence Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀, respectively, and the free PEG termini may be covalently bound to phosphatidylethanolamine or any other compound suitable to function as the anchoring element, for example, to embed the antigenic construct in the bilayer of a liposome.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to the use of an antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof and/or of a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention and as described herein, or of a mixture according to the invention and as described herein for the preparation of a medicament for treating or alleviating the effects of diseases and disorders in a subject in need thereof which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including, but not limited to, amyloidosis, endocrine tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits, the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma, the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition, the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis, the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition or of a mixture according to the invention and as described herein using an antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof for use in treating or alleviating the effects of diseases and disorders in a subject in need thereof which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including, but not limited to, amyloidosis, endocrine tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits, the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma, the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition, the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis, the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for the preparation of a medicament using an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, a pharmaceutical composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein, for preventing, treating or alleviating the effects of diseases and disorders in a subject in need thereof which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including, but not limited to, amyloidosis, endocrine tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits, the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma, the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition, the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis, the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration.

In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition using particularly an antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, comprising formulating said antibody in a pharmaceutically acceptable form, particularly such that the antibody is comprised in the composition in a therapeutically effective amount.

In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for reducing the plaque load in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with an increased plaque load in the brain comprising administering to a subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein before.

In a specific aspect of the invention, the monoclonal antibody used in these methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844.

In a further specific aspect of the invention, the monoclonal antibody used in these methods is the monoclonal antibody selected from the group of antibodies comprising ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 and ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In particular, the plaque load is reduced by at least 20%, particularly by at least 25%, more particularly by at least 30%, even more particularly by more than 30%.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for reducing the amount of plaques in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with an increased plaque load in the brain comprising administering to a subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein before.

In a specific aspect of the invention, the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844.

In a further specific aspect of the invention, the monoclonal antibody used in these methods is the monoclonal antibody selected from the group of antibodies comprising ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 and ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In particular, the amount of plaques in the brain is reduced by at least 10%, particularly by at least 15%, more particularly by more than 15%.

In still another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for decreasing the total amount of soluble Aβ in the brain of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from a disease or condition associated with increased concentrations of soluble Aβ in the brain comprising administering to a subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein.

In a specific aspect of the invention, the monoclonal antibody of these methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844.

In a further specific aspect of the invention, the monoclonal antibody used in these methods is the monoclonal antibody selected from the group of antibodies comprising ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 and ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In still another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for preventing, treating or alleviating the effects of diseases and disorders caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins, in a subject in need thereof particularly a mammal, more particularly a human affected by such a disorder, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein to the subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment. These diseases and disorders include, but are not limited to, amyloidosis, endocrine tumors, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits, the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma, the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition, the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis, the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration.

In still another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for retaining or increasing cognitive memory capacity in a subject exhibiting an amyloid-associated disease or condition comprising administering to the subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention or as described herein before.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a hybridoma cell line characterized in that it produces a monoclonal antibody according to the invention or as described herein before.

In particular, the invention relates to a hybridoma cell line characterized in that it produces a monoclonal antibody which antibody has the characteristic properties of an antibody produced by hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 and given deposit number DSM ACC2844.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, hybridoma cell line EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 and given deposit number DSM ACC2844 is provided.

In particular, the invention relates to a hybridoma cell line characterized in that it produces a monoclonal antibody which antibody has the characteristic properties of an antibody produced by hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, hybridoma cell line FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845 is provided.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, hybridoma cell line FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846 is provided.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of diagnosis of an amyloid-associated disease or condition, in a subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human affected by such a disorder, comprising detecting the immunospecific binding of an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ which includes the steps of

(a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area of the subject suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody according to the invention, which antibody binds a conformational epitope of the amyloid protein;

(b) allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunologic complex;

(c) detecting the formation of the immunologic complex, particularly such that presence or absence of the immunologic complex correlates with presence or absence of amyloid protein; and

(d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunologic complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area of the subject.

In a specific embodiment the composition of step (a) comprises a combination of antibodies for the treatment of said subject. The amyloid-associated disease or condition includes ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation wherein said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In one embodiment, a method of determining the extent of amyloidogenic plaque burden in a tissue of a subject in need thereof is provided comprising

(a) obtaining a sample representative of the tissue of the subject under investigation;

(b) testing said sample for the presence of amyloid plaque with an antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof;

(c) determining the amount of antibody bound to the sample, particularly such that presence or absence of the immunologic complex correlates with presence or absence of amyloid plaque; and

(d) calculating the plaque burden in the tissue of the subject. The subject may suffer from an amyloid-associated disease or condition that includes ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation wherein said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing a predisposition to an amyloid-associated disease or condition, in a subject is provided comprising detecting the specific binding of an antibody as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ which includes the steps of

(a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area of the subject suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with the antibody, wherein the antibody binds a conformational epitope of the amyloid protein;

(b) allowing the antibody to bind to any amyloid protein in the sample to form an immunologic complex;

(c) detecting the formation of the immunologic complex;

(d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunologic complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area of the subject; and

(e) comparing the amount of said immunologic complex to a normal control value,

wherein an increase in the amount of said complex compared to a normal control value indicates that said patient is suffering from or is at risk of developing an amyloid-associated disease or condition. The amyloid-associated disease or condition includes ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for monitoring minimal residual disease in a subject following treatment with an antibody or a composition according to the invention, wherein said method comprises:

(a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area of the subject suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds a conformational epitope of the amyloid protein;

(b) allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunologic complex;

(c) detecting the formation of the immunologic complex;

(d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunologic complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area of the subject; and

(e) comparing the amount of said immunologic complex to a normal control value,

wherein an increase in the amount of said complex compared to a normal control value indicates that said subject still suffers from a minimal residual disease. The minimal residual disease includes ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In a specific embodiment the composition of step (a) comprises a combination of antibodies for the treatment of said subject.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for predicting responsiveness of a subject being treated with an antibody or a composition according to the invention comprising

(a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds an conformational epitope of the amyloid protein;

(b) allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid antigen to form an immunologic complex;

(c) detecting the formation of the immunologic complex;

(d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunologic complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area of the subject; and

(e) comparing the amount of said immunologic complex before and after onset of the treatment,

wherein a decrease in the amount of said immunologic complex indicates that said subject has a high potential of being responsive to the treatment. In a specific embodiment, the treatment is for an amyloid-associated disease or condition that includes ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In a specific embodiment the composition of step (a) comprises a combination of antibodies for the treatment of said subject.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a test kit for the detection and diagnosis of amyloid-associated diseases and conditions in a subject in need thereof comprising an antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof and instructions for using the antibody for the purpose of binding to amyloid protein to form an immunologic complex and detecting the formation of the immunologic complex such that presence or absence of the immunologic complex correlates with presence or absence of amyloid protein. Amyloid-associated diseases and conditions include ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiment and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the results of an epitope mapping study of the murine monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 performed by ELISA using a peptide library of overlapping peptides covering the complete amino acid sequence of Aβ₁₋₄₂. Binding to the complete Aβ₁₋₄₂ was used as positive control. All other peptides were 8-10 aa long. The peptide number corresponds to the aa in the Aβ₁₋₄₂ sequence on which the peptide starts. Results are expressed as O.D.

FIG. 2 shows the results of an epitope mapping study of the murine monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 performed by ELISA using longer peptides covering Aβ 1-28, 17-40, 1-40, ₁₋₄₂A (Anaspec), or ₁₋₄₂B (Bachem) Results are expressed as O.D., after subtraction of the background. Results show the mean±1 standard error of 2 independent experiments.

FIG. 3 depicts the ACI-24-Ab-3-mediated inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ aggregation at a 1:100 and 1:10 antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio. Results show mean±1 standard error of 2 independent experiments.

FIG. 4 depicts the ACI-24-Ab-3-mediated disaggregation of pre-aggregated Aβ₁₋₄₂ at a 1:100 and 1:10 antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio. Results show mean±1 standard error of 2 independent experiments.

FIG. 5 depicts the binding of the ACI-24-Ab-3 antibody to high molecular weight (HMW) proto-fibrillar (PF) oligomer enriched and low molecular weight (LMW) monomeric preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide.

FIG. 6 depicts the binding of the 6E10 control antibody to high molecular weight (HMW) proto-fibrillar (PF) oligomer enriched proto-fibrillar and low molecular weight (LMW) monomeric preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide.

FIG. 7 depicts the binding of ACI-24-Ab-3 antibody (A) and control antibody 6E10 (B) to monomers and oligomers of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. The results are reported as mean (±SEM) optical density (O.D.) values of three independent experiments.

FIG. 8 shows the results of an epitope mapping study of the murine monoclonal antibody ACI-11-Ab-9 performed by ELISA using a peptide library of overlapping peptides covering the complete amino acid sequence of Aβ₁₋₄₂. Binding to the complete Aβ₁₋₄₂ was used as positive control. All other peptides were 8-10 aa long. The peptide number corresponds to the aa in the Aβ₁₋₄₂ sequence on which the peptide starts. Results are expressed as O.D.

FIG. 9 shows the results of an epitope mapping study of the murine monoclonal antibody ACI-11-Ab-9 performed by ELISA using longer peptides covering Aβ1-28, 17-40, 1-40, ₁₋₄₂A (Anaspec), or ₁₋₄₂B (Bachem). Results are expressed as O.D., after subtraction of the background. Results show the mean±1 standard error of 2 independent experiments.

FIG. 10 shows the results of an epitope mapping study of the murine monoclonal antibody ACI-12-Ab-11 performed by ELISA using a peptide library of overlapping peptides covering the complete amino acid sequence of Aβ₁₋₄₂. Binding to the complete Aβ₁₋₄₂ was used as positive control. All other peptides were 8-10 aa long. The peptide number corresponds to the aa in the Aβ₁₋₄₂ sequence on which the peptide starts. Results are expressed as O.D.

FIG. 11 shows the results of an epitope mapping study of the murine monoclonal antibody ACI-11-Ab-9 performed by ELISA using longer peptide covering. Aβ 1-28, 17-40, 1-40, ₁₋₄₂A (Anaspec), or ₁₋₄₂B (Bachem). Results are expressed as O.D., after subtraction of the background. Results show the mean±1 standard error of 2 independent experiments.

FIG. 12 depicts the ACI-11-Ab-9-mediated inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ aggregation at a 1:100 and 1:10 antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio. Results show mean±1 standard error of 2 independent experiments.

FIG. 13 depicts the ACI-11-Ab-9-mediated disaggregation of pre-aggregated Aβ₁₋₄₂ at a 1:100 and 1:10 antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio. Results show mean±1 standard error of 3 independent experiments.

FIG. 14 depicts the ACI-12-Ab-11-mediated inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ aggregation at a 1:100 and 1:10 antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio. Results show mean±1 standard error of 2 independent experiments.

FIG. 15 depicts the ACI-12-Ab-11-mediated disaggregation of pre-aggregated Aβ₁₋₄₂ at a 1:100 and 1:10 antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio. Results show mean±1 standard error of 2 independent experiments.

FIG. 16 depicts the binding of ACI-12-Ab-11 antibody (A) and control antibody 6E10 (B) to monomers and oligomers of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. The results are reported as mean (±SEM) optical density (O.D.) values of three independent experiments.

FIG. 17 schematically depicts steps in the ELISA assay that can be used to analyze the binding of rhApoE4 to Aβ₄₂-biotin.

FIG. 18 represents the results obtained from development of an ELISA assay for rhApoE4 to Aβ₄₂-biotin binding. To optimize the concentrations of rhApoE4 and Aβ₄₂-biotin, dilutions of rhApoE4 are tested with a constant concentration of Aβ₄₂-biotin

FIG. 19 depicts the effect of excess of Aβ₄₂-biotin on the binding of Aβ₄₂-biotin complexed to rhApoE4 in the described ELISA assay.

FIG. 20 depicts a sample determination of the optimal concentration of Aβ₄₂-biotin for the described ELISA assay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE TABLES

Table 1.1 sets for the antibodies and antigenic constructs used for raising certain antibodies described herein.

Table 1.2 Binding of Aβ peptides to ACI-24-Ab-3. Results are expressed as O.D. after background subtraction.

Table 1.3 Binding of ACI-24-Ab-3 to 33 overlapping peptides of Aβ₁₋₄₂ as analyzed by ELISA. Binding to the complete Aβ₁₋₄₂ was used as positive control. All other peptides were 8-10 aa long. The peptide number corresponds to the aa in the Aβ₁₋₄₂ sequence on which the peptide starts. Results are expressed as O.D.

Table 1.4 Binding of the ACI-24-Ab-3 (mouse EJ1A9) antibody to high molecular weight (HMW) proto-fibrillar (PF) oligomer enriched and low molecular weight (LMW) monomeric preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide.

Table 1.5 Binding of the 6E10 control antibody to proto-fibrillar and LMW high molecular weight (HMW) proto-fibrillar (PF) oligomer enriched and low molecular weight (LMW) monomeric preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide.

Table 1.6 Binding of the ACI-24-Ab-3 (mouse EJ1A9) antibody to monomers and oligomers of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. Results are expressed as O.D. values.

Table 1.7 Binding of the 6E10 control antibody to monomers and oligomers of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. Results are expressed as O.D. values.

Table 2.1 sets forth the antibodies and antigenic constructs used for raising certain antibodies described herein.

Table 2.2 Binding of Aβ peptides to ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11. Results are expressed as O.D. after background subtraction.

Table 2.3 Binding of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 to 33 overlapping peptides of Aβ₁₋₄₂ as analyzed by ELISA. Binding to the complete Aβ₁₋₄₂ was used as positive control. All other peptides were 8-10 aa long. The peptide number corresponds to the aa in the Aβ₁₋₄₂ sequence on which the peptide starts. Results are expressed as O.D.

Table 2.4 Binding of the ACI-12-Ab-11 (clone FK2A6A6) antibody to monomers and oligomers of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. Results are expressed as O.D. values.

Table 2.5 Binding of the 6E10 control antibody to monomers and oligomers of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. Results are expressed as O.D. values.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCES

SEQ ID NO: 1: Antigenic peptide Aβ₂₂₋₃₅

SEQ ID NO: 2: Antigenic peptide Aβ₂₉₋₄₀

SEQ ID NO: 3: βB peptide fragment Aβ₁₋₂₈

SEQ ID NO: 4: Aβ peptide fragment Aβ₁₇₋₄₀

SEQ ID NO: 5 βB peptide fragment Aβ₁₋₄₀

SEQ ID NO 6: βB peptide fragment Aβ₁₋₄₂

SEQ ID NO: 7 Amino Acid sequence of the light chain variable domain sequence of ACI-24-Ab-3.

SEQ ID NO: 8 Amino Acid sequence of the heavy chain variable domain sequence of ACI-24-Ab-3.

SEQ ID NO: 9 Amino Acid sequence of the light chain CDR1

SEQ ID NO: 10 Amino Acid sequence of the light chain CDR2

SEQ ID NO: 11 Amino Acid sequence of the light chain CDR3

SEQ ID NO: 12 Amino Acid sequence of the heavy chain CDR1

SEQ ID NO: 13 Amino Acid sequence of the heavy chain CDR2

SEQ ID NO: 14 Amino Acid sequence of the heavy chain CDR3

SEQ ID NO: 15 Polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain variable domain sequence ACI-24-Ab-3.

SEQ ID NO: 16 Polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain variable domain sequence of ACI-24-Ab-3.

SEQ ID NO: 17 Amino Acid sequence of the light chain variable domain sequence of ACI-11-Ab-9.

SEQ ID NO: 18 Amino Acid sequence of the heavy chain variable domain sequence of ACI-1′-Ab-9

SEQ ID NO: 19 Amino Acid sequence of the light chain variable domain sequence of ACI-12-Ab-11.

SEQ ID NO: 20 Amino Acid sequence of the heavy chain variable domain sequence of ACI-12-Ab-11.

SEQ ID NO: 21 Amino Acid sequence of the light chain CDR1

SEQ ID NO: 22 Amino Acid sequence of the light chain CDR2

SEQ ID NO: 23 Amino Acid sequence of the light chain CDR3

SEQ ID NO: 24 Amino Acid sequence of the heavy chain CDR1

SEQ ID NO: 25 Amino Acid sequence of the heavy chain CDR2

SEQ ID NO: 26 Amino Acid sequence of the heavy chain CDR3

SEQ ID NO: 27 Polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain variable domain sequence of ACI-11-Ab-9.

SEQ ID NO: 28 Polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy chain variable domain sequence of ACI-11-Ab-9.

SEQ ID NO: 29 Polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain variable domain sequence of ACI-12-Ab-11.

SEQ ID NO: 30 Polynucleotide sequence encoding the light chain variable domain sequence of ACI-12-Ab-11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The antibodies according to the present invention including any functionally equivalent antibodies or functional parts thereof, or, more particularly, a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, as described herein can be used for the treatment of ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. These pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In particular, a composition, particularly a therapeutic composition comprising an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, as described herein in a therapeutically effective a mount can be used for the treatment of ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In another embodiment, the composition according to the invention is provided in the form of a mixture, wherein the antibody is intermixed with another biologically active substance in or with the same pharmaceutically acceptable solvent and/or carrier or the antibody and the other biologically active substance may be provided separately as part of a separate composition, which may be offered separately or together in the form of a kit of parts. The composition may be used in the treatment of ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases of the optic nerve involving loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a characteristic pattern of optic neuropathy. Glaucoma is often, but not always, accompanied by an increased eye pressure, which may be a result of blockage of the circulation of aqueous, or its drainage.

Although raised intraocular pressure is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma, no threshold of intraocular pressure can be defined which would be determinative for causing glaucoma.

The damage may also be caused by poor blood supply to the vital optic nerve fibers, a weakness in the structure of the nerve, and/or a problem in the health of the nerve fibers themselves.

Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve and resultant visual field loss, which can progress to blindness.

RGCs are the nerve cells that transmit visual signals from the eye to the brain. Caspase-3 and Caspase-8, two major enzymes in the apoptotic process, are activated in the process leading to apoptosis of RGCs. Caspase-3 cleaves amyloid precursor protein (APP) to produce neurotoxic fragments, including Amyloid β. Without the protective effect of APP, Amyloid β accumulation in the retinal ganglion cell layer results in the death of RGCs and irreversible loss of vision.

The different types of glaucomas are classified as open-angle glaucomas, if the condition is chronic, or closed-angle glaucomas, if acute glaucoma occurs suddenly. Glaucoma usually affects both eyes, but the disease can progress more rapidly in one eye than in the other.

Chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG), also known as primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), is the most common type of glaucoma. COAG is caused by microscopic blockage in the trabecular meshwork, which decreases the drainage of the aqueous outflow into the Schlemm's canal and raises the intraocular pressure (IOP). POAG usually affects both eyes and is strongly associated with age and a positive family history. Its frequency increases in elderly people as the eye drainage mechanism may gradually become clogged with aging. The increase in intraocular pressure in subjects affected by chronic open-angle glaucoma is not accompanied by any symptoms until the loss is felt on the central visual area.

Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma (AACG) or closed-angle glaucoma is a relatively rare type of glaucoma characterized by a sudden increase in intraocular pressure to 35 to 80 mmHg, leading to severe pain and irreversible loss of vision. The sudden pressure increase is caused by the closing of the filtering angle and blockage of the drainage channels. Individuals with narrow angles have an increased risk for a sudden closure of the angle. AACG usually occurs monocularly, but the risk exists in both eyes. Age, cataract and pseudoexfoliation are also risk factors since they are associated with enlargement of the lens and crowding or narrowing of the angle. A sudden glaucoma attack may be associated with severe eye pain and headache, inflamed eye, nausea, vomiting, and blurry vision.

Mixed or Combined Mechanism Glaucoma is a mixture or combination of open and closed angle glaucoma. It affects patients with acute ACG whose angle opens after laser iridotomy, but who continue to require medications for IOP control, as well as patients with POAG or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma who gradually develop narrowing of the angle.

Normal tension glaucoma (NTG), also known as low tension glaucoma (LTG), is characterized by progressive optic nerve damage and loss of peripheral vision similar to that seen in other types of glaucoma; however, the intraocular pressure is the normal range or even below normal.

Congenital (infantile) glaucoma is a relatively rare, inherited type of open-angle glaucoma. Insufficient development of the drainage area results in increased pressure in the eye that can lead to the loss of vision from optic nerve damage and to an enlarged eye. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to preserve vision in infants and children affected by the disease.

Secondary glaucoma may result from an ocular injury, inflammation in the iris of the eye (iritis), diabetes, cataract, or use of steroids in steroid-susceptible individuals. Secondary glaucoma may also be associated with retinal detachment or retinal vein occlusion or blockage.

Pigmentary glaucoma is characterized by the detachment of granules of pigment from the iris. The granules cause blockage of the drainage system of the eye, leading to elevated intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve.

Exfoliative glaucoma (pseudoexfoliation) is characterized by deposits of flaky material on the anterior capsule and in the angle of the eye. Accumulation of the flaky material blocks the drainage system and raises the eye pressure.

Diagnosis of glaucoma may be made using various tests. Tonometry determines the pressure in the eye by measuring the tone or firmness of its surface. Several types of tonometers are available for this test, the most common being the applanation tonometer. Pachymetry determines the thickness of the cornea which, in turn, measures intraocular pressure. Gonioscopy allows examination of the filtering angle and drainage area of the eye. Gonioscopy can also determine if abnormal blood vessels may be blocking the drainage of the aqueous fluid out of the eye. Opthalmoscopy allows examination of the optic nerve and can detect nerve fiber layer drop or changes in the optic disc, or indentation (cupping) of this structure, which may be caused by increased intraocular pressure or axonal drop out. Gonioscopy is also useful in assessing damage to the nerve from poor blood flow or increased intraocular pressure. Visual Field testing maps the field of vision, subjectively, which may detect signs of glaucomatous damage to the optic nerve. This is represented by specific patterns of visual field loss. Ocular coherence tomography, an objective measure of nerve fiber layer loss, is carried out by looking at the thickness of the optic nerve fiber layer (altered in glaucoma) via a differential in light transmission through damaged axonal tissue.

Optic nerve drusen are globular concretions of protein and calcium salts which are felt to represent secretions through congenitally altered vascular structures affecting the axonal nerve fiber layer. These accumulations occur in the peripapillary nerve fiber layer and are felt to damage the nerve fiber layer either directly by compression or indirectly through disruptions of the vascular supply to the nerve fiber layer. They usually become visible after the first decade of life in affected individuals. They occur most often in both eyes but may also affect one eye, and may cause mild loss of peripheral vision over many years.

Optic neuropathy is a disease characterized by damage to the optic nerve caused by demyelination, blockage of blood supply, nutritional deficiencies, or toxins. Demyelinating optic neuropathies (see optic neuritis below) are typically caused by an underlying demyelinating process such as multiple sclerosis. Blockage of the blood supply, known as ischemic optic neuropathy, can lead to death or dysfunction of optic nerve cells. Non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy usually occurs in middle-age people. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes and atherosclerosis. Arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy usually occurs in older people following inflammation of the arteries (arteritis), particularly the temporal artery (temporal arteritis). Loss of vision may be rapid or develop gradually over 2 to 7 days and the damage may be to one or both eyes. In people with optic neuropathy caused by exposure to a toxin or to a nutritional deficiency, both eyes are usually affected.

About 40% of people with non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy experience spontaneous improvement over time. Non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy is treated by controlling blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol levels. Arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy is treated with high doses of corticosteroids to prevent loss of vision in the second eye.

Optic neuritis is associated with mild or severe vision loss in one or both eyes and may be caused by a systemic demyelinating process (see above), viral infection, vaccination, meningitis, syphilis, multiple sclerosis and intraocular inflammation (uveitis). Eye movement may be painful and vision may deteriorate with repeat episodes. Diagnosis involves examination of the reactions of the pupils and determining whether the optic disk is swollen. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may show evidence of multiple sclerosis or, rarely, a tumor pressing on the optic nerve, in which case vision improves once the tumor pressure is relieved. Most cases of optic neuritis improve over a few months without treatment. In some cases, treatment with intravenous corticosteroids may be necessary.

A cataract is an opacity that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope. Cataracts typically cause progressive vision loss and may cause blindness if left untreated. In the Morgagnian Cataract, the cataract cortex progressively liquefies to form a milky white fluid and may cause severe inflammation if the lens capsule ruptures and leaks. If left untreated, the cataract may also cause phacomorphic glaucoma. Cataracts may be congenital in nature or caused by genetic factors, advanced age, long-term ultraviolet exposure, exposure to radiation, diabetes, eye injury or physical trauma.

Extra-capsular (ECCE) surgery is the most effective treatment to treat cataract. In the surgery, the lens is removed, but the majority of the lens capsule is left intact. Phacoemulsification, a small incision on the side of the cornea, is typically used to break up the lens before extraction.

Ocular amyloidosis is a hereditary disorder associated with Type I Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy (FAP) and characterized by abnormal conjunctival vessels, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, pupillary abnormalities and, in some cases, vitreous opacities and secondary glaucoma. Type I FAP is associated with mutations in transthyretin (TTR), a tetrameric plasma protein (prealbumin) synthesized in the liver, the retinal pigment epithelium2 and thechoroid plexus of the brain. Different mutations cause transthyretin to polymerize into a pleated structure of amyloid fibril, leading to hereditary amyloidosis. The most frequent mutation is TTR-met303, in which methionine replaces valine at position 30 in transthyretin.

Type IV FAP is associated with lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD). Lattice corneal dystrophy is an inherited, primary, usually bilateral corneal amyloidosis characterized by the presence of refractile lattice lines with a double contour in the corneal stroma. LCD type I (Biber-Haab-Dimmer) is an autosomal dominant, bilaterally symmetrical corneal disorder characterized by the presence of numerous translucent fine lattice lines with white dots and faint haze in the superficial and middle layers of the central stroma. The symptoms start during the first or second decades of life, causing a progressive loss of vision. Most patients require a corneal transplant by 40 years of age. LCD type II is associated with systemic amyloidosis (Meretoja's syndrome) and is characterized by the presence of thick lattice lines in the limbus, central cornea and stroma. Vision is not affected until later in life. LCD type III affect middle-age people and is characterized by the presence of thick lattice lines that extend from limbus to limbus. LCD type III A is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid deposits in the stroma and the presence of ribbons of amyloid between the stroma and Bowman's layer, LCD type III A differs from LCD type III because of the presence of corneal erosions, the occurrence in whites and the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern.

Down's Syndrome (DS) or trisomy 21 is the most common genetic disorder with an incidence of about 1:700 live births, and is often associated with various congenital anomalies. The disorder, which is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21, is associated with premature deposits of the plaque-forming protein amyloid-beta and development of Alzheimer's disease by middle age. Furthermore, many people affected by DS suffer from cataracts beginning in childhood and many suffer from congenital glaucoma. Since the gene for amyloid precursor protein, which is cleaved to form amyloid beta, is located on the long arm of chromosome 21 in humans, overexpression of this gene may lead to increased levels of amyloid precursor protein and amyloid deposition in Down's syndrome.

There is no cure for glaucoma. Medications for the treatment of glaucoma include agents that decrease production of the aqueous humor in the eye, such as beta blockers (Timoptic, Betoptic), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (Trusopt, Azopt), and alpha agonists (Alphagan, Iopidine), and agents that redirect drainage of the aqueous humor through a different pathway at the back of the eye, such as prostaglandin (Xalatan). Laser surgeries include trabeculoplasty, a procedure that helps the aqueous humor leave the eye more efficiently. According to the Glaucoma Foundation, nearly 80% of patients respond well enough to the procedure to delay or avoid further surgery. However, pressure increases again in the eyes of half of all patients within two years after laser surgery, according to the National Eye Institute. Incisional surgery is performed if medication and initial laser treatments are unsuccessful in reducing pressure within the eye. One type of surgery, a trabeculectomy, creates an opening in the wall of the eye so that aqueous humor can drain. However, about one-third of trabeculectomy patients develop cataracts within five years, according to the Glaucoma Foundation. If the trabeculectomy fails, additional incisional procedures include placing a drainage tube into the eye between the cornea and iris and the use of a laser or freezing treatment to destroy tissue in the eye that makes aqueous humor. Surgery may save the remaining vision in the patient, but it does not improve sight. Vision may actually be worse following surgery.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness among Caucasians over age 65. Although much progress has been made recently in macular degeneration research, there are no treatments that rescue neuronal cell death that occurs during the course of the disease. There are also no definitive treatments for other ocular diseases associated with amyloid beta-related neuronal degradation, such as cortical visual deficits, optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, ocular amyloidosis and lattice dystrophy.

Accordingly, there is an urgent need in the art for improved treatment options for subjects affected by ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. These pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy. The present invention satisfies this need, by providing solutions that target the process that causes an ocular disease associated with amyloid beta-related neuronal degradation in a patient affected by the disease.

Further to this object, the invention relates to the use of an antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof and/or of a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention and as described herein, or of a mixture according to the invention and as described herein for the preparation of a medicament for treating or alleviating the effects of ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. Said pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein using an antibody according to the invention and as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof for use in treating or alleviating the effects of ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a medicament comprising a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, a pharmaceutical composition or a mixture comprising the antibody according to the invention and as described herein in a therapeutically effective amount, for preventing, treating or alleviating the effects of ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. These pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for reducing the plaque load in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy. In one aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844. In another aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibodies used in such methods are ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20, or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846. In particular, the plaque load is reduced by at least 20%, particularly by at least 25%, more particularly by at least 30%, even more particularly by more than 30%.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for reducing the amount of plaques in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functional equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy. In one aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844. In another aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibodies used in such methods are ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20, or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846. In particular, the amount of plaques in the brain is reduced by at least 10%, particularly by at least 15%, more particularly by more than 15%.

In still another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for decreasing the total amount of soluble Aβ in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a subject, particularly a mammal, but especially a human suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy. In one aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844. In another aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibodies used in such methods are ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20, or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for preventing, treating or alleviating the effects of an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, in a subject, in particular a mammal, more particularly a human affected by the ocular disease associated with amyloid beta-related neuronal degradation, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein to the subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy. In one aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844. In another aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibodies used in such methods are ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20, or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for diagnosing an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject in need thereof, comprising detecting the immunospecific binding of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein, to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ which includes the steps of: (a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody according to the invention, which antibody binds a conformational epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex, particularly such that presence or absence of the immunological complex correlates with presence or absence of amyloid protein; and (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area. In one aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844. In another aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibodies used in such methods are ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20, or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for diagnosing a predisposition to an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject in need thereof comprising detecting the specific binding of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein, to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ which includes the steps of: (a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with the antibody, wherein the antibody binds a conformational epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the antibody to bind to any amyloid protein in the sample to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex; (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area, (e) and comparing the amount of said immunological complex to a normal control value, wherein an increase in the amount of the complex compared to a normal control value indicates that the subject is suffering from or is at risk of developing an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system. In one aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844. In another aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibodies used in such methods are ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20, or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for monitoring minimal residual ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject following treatment with a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention, wherein the method comprises: (a) bringing a sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein, which antibody binds an epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex; (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area; and (e) comparing the amount of the immunological complex to a normal control value, wherein an increase in the amount of the complex compared to a normal control value indicates that the subject still suffers from a minimal residual ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system. In one aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844. In another aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibodies used in such methods are ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20, or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In yet another aspect of the invention a method is provided for predicting responsiveness of a subject being treated with a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention comprising the steps of: (a) bringing a sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain an amyloid protein into contact with an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody, including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein, which antibody binds an epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex; (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area, and (e) comparing the amount of the immunological complex before and after onset of the treatment, wherein a decrease in the amount of the immunological complex indicates that the subject has a high potential of being responsive to the treatment. In one aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844. In another aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibodies used in such methods are ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20, or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

In another aspect of the invention a method is provided for retaining or decreasing ocular pressure in the eyes of a subject, specifically a mammal, more specifically a human suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, or a composition or a mixture according to the invention and as described herein. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy. In one aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibody used in such methods is ACI-24-Ab-3 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 7-8 or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma EJ1A9, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2844. In another aspect of the invention the monoclonal antibodies used in such methods are ACI-11-Ab-9 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NOs: 17-18 or ACI-12-Ab-11 having the polypeptide sequences SEQ ID NO: 19-20, or a functional part thereof as described herein. In particular, the monoclonal antibody is produced by the hybridoma FG1F9E4, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2845, or the hybridoma FK2A6A6, deposited on May 25, 2007 as DSM ACC2846.

DEFINITIONS

The terms “polypeptide”, “peptide”, and “protein”, as used herein, are interchangeable and are defined to mean a biomolecule composed of amino acids linked by a peptide bond.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” as used herein are defined to mean “one or more” and include the plural unless the context is inappropriate.

The terms “detecting” or “detected” as used herein mean using known techniques for detection of biologic molecules such as immunochemical or histological methods and refer to qualitatively or quantitatively determining the presence or concentration of the biomolecule under investigation.

“Amyloid β, Aβ or β-amyloid” is an art recognized term and refer to amyloid proteins and peptides, amyloid precursor protein (APP), as well as modifications, fragments and any functional equivalents thereof. As used herein, amyloid β refers to any fragment produced by proteolytic cleavage of APP but especially those fragments which are involved in or associated with the amyloid pathologies including, but not limited to, Aβ₁₋₃₈, Aβ₁₋₃₉, Aβ₁₋₄₀, Aβ₁₋₄₁ Aβ₁₋₄₂ and Aβ₁₋₄₃.

The structure and sequences of the amyloid peptides as mentioned above are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and methods of producing said peptides or of extracting them from brain and other tissues are described, for example, in Glenner and Wong, Biochem Biophys Res Comm 129, 885-890 (1984). Moreover, amyloid β peptides are also commercially available in various forms.

The terms “Aβ Fibril” or “Aβ Filament” or “amyloid fibrils” or “proto-fibrils” refer topolymeric forms of monomeric protein forming individual or bundled fibers with constant fiber diameter which are insoluble in aqueous medium and contain large amounts of a cross-β structure in their core; mostly with beta-strands perpendicular to the fibril axis.

The terms “Monomeric Aβ” or “Aβ monomer” refer to completely solubilized amyloid β protein without aggregated complexes in aqueous medium.

The terms “Proto-fibrils” or “proto-fibrilar preparation” as used herein refers to higher molecular weight fractions of polymerica Aβ amyloid peptides, which are enriched with soluble amyloid Aβ oligomers.

The phrases “Polymeric soluble amyloid” and “oligomeric amyloid peptides Aβ” and “Aβ oligomer” are used interchangeably herein and refer to multiple aggregated monomers of amyloid peptides, or of amyloid-like peptides, or of modified or truncated amyloid peptides or of other derivates of amyloid peptides forming oligomeric or polymeric structures which are soluble both in vitro in aqueous medium and in vivo in the mammalian or human body more particularly in the brain, but particularly refer to multiple aggregated monomers of amyloid peptides or of modified or truncated amyloid peptides or of derivatives thereof, which are soluble in the mammalian or human body more particularly in the brain.

The phrases “Polymeric soluble amyloid Aβ peptides” and “oligomeric amyloid Aβ peptides” and “Aβ oligomer” are used interchangeably herein and refers to multiple aggregated monomers of amyloid Aβ peptides, or of modified or truncated amyloid Aβ peptides or of other derivates of amyloid Aβ peptides forming oligomeric or polymeric structures which are soluble both in vitro in aqueous medium and in vivo in the mammalian or human body more particularly in the brain, but particularly to multiple aggregated monomers of amyloid β (Aβ) or of modified or truncated amyloid β (Aβ) peptides or of derivatives thereof, which are soluble in the mammalian or human body more particularly in the brain.

With respect to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40; by a “substantially weaker binding” a binding is meant, which is at least about 80%, particularly at least about 85%, more particularly at least about 90% but especially at least about 95% less than the binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40.

With respect to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβmonomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40, by a “substantially weaker binding” a binding is meant, which is at least about 60%, particularly at least about 65%, more particularly at least about 70%, even more particularly at least about 80%, but especially at least about 90% and up to 100% less than the binding to Aβ monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂.

With respect to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to β monomeric peptide 1-40 particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40; by an “intermediate binding” a binding is meant, which is at least about 60%, particularly at least about 65%, more particularly at least about 70%, even more particularly at least about 80%, less than the binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40.

With respect to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 particularly to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40 and to soluble polymeric and/or oligomeric amyloid peptide comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and an intermediated binding to monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40; by “essentially no binding” a binding is meant, which is at least about 95%, particularly at least about 98%, but especially at least about 99% and up to 100% less than the binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-40.

With respect to a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, which antibody binds to Aβ monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂ and polymeric soluble Aβ peptides comprising a plurality of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomeric peptides and Aβ fibrils or fibers incorporating a plurality of said polymeric peptides, but shows a substantially weaker binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 1-28 and essentially no binding to Aβ monomeric peptide 17-40, by “essentially no binding” a binding is meant, which is at least about 85%, particularly at least about 90%, more particularly at least about 95%, even more particularly at least about 98%, but especially at least about 99% and up to 100% less than the binding to Aβ monomeric peptide ₁₋₄₂.

The binding of the antibody according to the invention as described herein, particularly a monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, to Aβ monomeric peptides is determined by an ELISA-type assay, particularly by an ELISA assay using biotinylated Aβ monomeric peptides, but especially by an ELISA assay as described in Examples 1.16 and 2.16 below.

By “isolated” is meant a biological molecule free from at least some of the components with which it naturally occurs.

The language “diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins” includes, but is not limited to, diseases and disorders caused by the presence or activity of amyloid-like proteins in monomeric, fibril, or polymeric state, or any combination of the three. Such diseases and disorders include, but are not limited to, amyloidosis, endocrine tumors, and ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

The phrase “ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation” refers to pathological abnormalities associated with aberrant β-amyloid function or deposition resulting in neuronal degradation, that may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

The term “amyloidosis” refers to a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque formation including, but not limited to, secondary amyloidosis and age-related amyloidosis such as diseases including, but not limited to, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), including diseases or conditions characterized by a loss of cognitive memory capacity such as, for example, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Lewy body dementia, Down's syndrome, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis (Dutch type); the Guam Parkinson-Dementia complex; as well as other diseases which are based on or associated with amyloid-like proteins such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple sclerosis; Creutzfeld Jacob disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV-related dementia, ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), inclusion-body myositis (IBM), Adult Onset Diabetes; and senile cardiac amyloidosis, and other diseases, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy.

The terms “antibody” or “antibodies” as used herein are art recognized term and are understood to refer to molecules or active fragments of molecules that bind to known antigens, particularly to immunoglobulin molecules and to immunologically active portions of immunoglobulin molecules, i.e. molecules that contain a binding site that immunospecifically binds an antigen. The immunoglobulin according to the invention can be of any type (IgG, IgM, IgD, IgE, IgA and IgY) or class (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1 and IgA2) or subclasses of immunoglobulin molecule.

“Antibodies” are intended within the scope of the present invention to include monoclonal, polyclonal, chimeric, single chain, bispecific or bi-effective, simianized, human and humanized antibodies as well as active fragments thereof. Examples of active fragments of molecules that bind to known antigens include Fab, F(ab′)₂, scFv and Fv fragments, including the products of an Fab immunoglobulin expression library and epitope-binding fragments of any of the antibodies and fragments mentioned above.

Such active fragments can be derived from an antibody of the present invention by a number of art-known techniques. For example, purified monoclonal antibodies can be cleaved with an enzyme, such as pepsin, and subjected to HPLC gel filtration. The appropriate fraction containing Fab fragments can then be collected and concentrated by membrane filtration and the like. For further description of general techniques for the isolation of active fragments of antibodies, see for example, Khaw, B. A. et al. J. Nucl. Med. 23:1011-1019 (1982); Rousseaux et al. Methods Enzymology, 121:663-69, Academic Press, 1986.

The phrase “humanized antibody” refers to a type of engineered antibody having its CDRs derived from a non-human donor immunoglobulin, the remaining immunoglobulin-derived parts of the molecule being derived from one (or more) human immunoglobulin(s). In addition, framework support residues may be altered to preserve binding affinity. Methods to obtain “humanized antibodies” are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. (see, e.g., Queen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad Sci USA, 86:10029-10032 (1989), Hodgson et al., Bio/Technology, 9:421 (1991)).

A “humanized antibody” may also be obtained by a novel genetic engineering approach that enables production of affinity-matured humanlike polyclonal antibodies in large animals such as, for example, rabbits (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,129,084).

The phrase “monoclonal antibody” is also well recognized in the art and refers to an antibody that is mass produced in the laboratory from a single clone and that recognizes only one antigen. Monoclonal antibodies are typically made by fusing a normally short-lived, antibody-producing B cell to a fast-growing cell, such as a cancer cell (sometimes referred to as an “immortal” cell). The resulting hybrid cell, or hybridoma, multiplies rapidly, creating a clone that produces large quantities of the antibody. For the purpose of the present invention, “monoclonal antibody” is also to be understood to comprise antibodies that are produced by a mother clone which has not yet reached full monoclonality.

The term “CDR” refers to the hypervariable region of an antibody. The term “hypervariable region”, “HVR”, or “HV”, when used herein refers to the regions of an antibody variable domain which are hypervariable in sequence and/or form structurally defined loops. Generally, antibodies comprise six hypervariable regions; three in the VH (H1, H2, H3), and three in the VL (L1, L2, L3). A number of hypervariable region delineations are in use and are encompassed herein. The Kabat Complementarity Determining Regions are based on sequence variability and are the most commonly used (Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)).

The letters “HC” and “LC” preceding the term “CDR” refer, respectively, to a CDR of a heavy chain and a light chain. Chothia refers instead to the location of the structural loops (Chothia and Lesk J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917 (1987)). The AbM hypervariable regions represent a compromise between the Kabat CDRs and Chothia structural loops, and are used by Oxford Molecular's AbM antibody modeling software. The “contact” hypervariable regions are based on an analysis of the available complex crystal structures. The residues from each of these hypervariable regions are noted below.

Loop Kabat AbM Chothia Contact L1 L24-L34 L24-L34 L26-L32 L30-L36 L2 L50-L56 L50-L56 L50-L52 L46-L55 L3 L89-L97 L89-L97 L91-L96 L89-L96 H1 H31-H35B H26-H35B H26-H32 H30-H35B (Kabat Numbering) H1 H31-H35 H26-H35 H26-H32 H30-H35 (Chothia Numbering) H2 H50-H65 H50-H58 H53-H55 H47-H58 H3 H95-H102 H95-H102 H96-H101 H93-H101

Hypervariable regions may comprise “extended hypervariable regions” as follows: 24-36 or 24-34 (L1), 46-56 or 50-56 (L2) and 89-97 or 89-96 (L3) in the VL and 26-35 (H1), 50-65 or 49-65 (H2) and 93-102, 94-102, or 95-102 (H3) in the VH. The variable domain residues are numbered according to Kabat et al., supra, for each of these definitions.

The term “variable domain residue numbering as in Kabat” or “amino acid position numbering as in Kabat,” and variations thereof, refers to the numbering system used for heavy chain variable domains or light chain variable domains of the compilation of antibodies in Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991).

Using this numbering system, the actual linear amino acid sequence may contain fewer or additional amino acids corresponding to a shortening of, or insertion into, a FR or HVR of the variable domain. For example, a heavy chain variable domain may include a single amino acid insert (residue 52a according to Kabat) after residue 52 of H2 and inserted residues (e.g. residues 82a, 82b, and 82c, etc. according to Kabat) after heavy chain FR residue 82. The Kabat numbering of residues may be determined for a given antibody by alignment at regions of homology of the sequence of the antibody with a “standard” Kabat numbered sequence.

The phrase “Functionally equivalent antibody” is understood within the scope of the present invention to refer to an antibody which substantially shares at least one major functional property with an antibody, for example functional properties herein described including, but not limited to: binding specificity to the β-amyloid protein, particularly to the Aβ₁₋₄₂ protein, and more particularly to the 4-16 epitopic region of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ protein, immunoreactivity in vitro, inhibition of aggregation of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomers into high molecular polymeric fibrils and/or disaggregation of preformed Aβ₁₋₄₂ polymeric fibrils, and/or a β-sheet breaking property and alleviating the effects of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including, but not limited to, amyloidosis, endocrine tumors, and ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, when administered prophylactically or therapeutically. The antibodies can be of any class such as IgG, IgM, or IgA, etc or any subclass such as IgG1, IgG2a, etc and other subclasses described herein or known in the art, but particularly of the IgG4 class. Further, the antibodies can be produced by any method, such as phage display, or produced in any organism or cell line, including bacteria, insect, mammal or other type of cell or cell line which produces antibodies with desired characteristics, such as humanized antibodies. Antibodies can also be formed by combining a Fab portion and an Fc region from different species.

The terms “bispecific,” “bifunctional” and “bi-effective” are used synonymously within the scope of this application to characterize an antibody which exhibits both an inhibition property on amyloid or amyloid-like fiber formation as well as a disaggregation property of amyloid or amyloid-like fibers.

The term “antigen” refers to an entity or fragment thereof which can induce an immune response in an organism, particularly an animal, more particularly a mammal including a human. The term includes immunogens and regions thereof responsible for antigenicity or antigenic determinants.

As used herein, the term “soluble” means partially or completely dissolved in an aqueous solution.

Also as used herein, the term “immunogenic” refers to substances which elicit or enhance the production of antibodies, T-cells or other reactive immune cells directed against an immunogenic agent and contribute to an immune response in humans or animals.

An immune response occurs when an individual produces sufficient antibodies, T-cells and other reactive immune cells against administered immunogenic compositions of the present invention to moderate or alleviate the disorder to be treated.

The phrase “Polymeric soluble amyloid” refers to multiple aggregated monomers of amyloid peptides, or of amyloid-like peptides, or of modified or truncated amyloid peptides or of other derivates of amyloid peptides forming oligomeric or polymeric structures which are soluble in the mammalian or human body more particularly in the brain, but particularly to multiple aggregated monomers of amyloid β (Aβ) or of modified or truncated amyloid β (Aβ) peptides or of derivatives thereof, which are soluble in the mammalian or human body more particularly in the brain.

The term “hybridoma” is art recognized and is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to refer to a cell produced by the fusion of an antibody-producing cell and an immortal cell, e.g. a multiple myeloma cell. Such a hybrid cell is capable of producing a continuous supply of antibody. See the definition of “monoclonal antibody” above and the Examples below for a more detailed description of one art known method of fusion.

The term “carrier” as used herein means a structure in which antigenic peptide or supramolecular construct can be incorporated into or can be associated with, thereby presenting or exposing antigenic peptides or part of the peptide to the immune system of a human or animal. Any particle that can be suitably used in animal or human therapy such as, for example, a vesicle, a particle or a particulate body may be used as a carrier within the context of the present invention. The term further comprises methods of delivery wherein supramolecular antigenic construct compositions comprising the antigenic peptide may be transported to desired sites by delivery mechanisms. One example of such a delivery system utilizes colloidal metals such as colloidal gold. The term “carrier” further comprises delivery mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill in the art including, but not limited to, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and other adjuvants.

In a supramolecular antigenic construct according to the present invention, the liposome may have a dual function in that it can be used as a carrier comprising the supramolecular construct as described herein and, at the same time, function as an adjuvant to increase or stimulate the immune response within the target animal or human to be treated with the therapeutic vaccine according to the invention. It is also to be understood that the supramolecular antigenic construct compositions of the present invention can further comprise additional adjuvants such as, for example, lipid A, alum, calcium phosphate, interleukin 1, and/or microcapsules of polysaccharides and proteins, but particularly a detoxified lipid A, such as monophosphoryl or diphosphoryl lipid A, or alum, further preservatives, diluents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and other components that are known and used in vaccines in the art. Moreover, any adjuvant system known in the art can be used in the composition of the present invention. Such adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's incomplete adjuvant, Freund's complete adjuvant, polydispersed β-(1,4) linked acetylated mannan (“Acemannan”), TITERMAX® (polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer adjuvants from CytRx Corporation), modified lipid adjuvants from Chiron Corporation, saponin derivative adjuvants from Cambridge Biotech, killed Bordetella pertussis, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria, large polymeric anions such as dextran sulfate, and inorganic gels such as alum, aluminum hydroxide, or aluminum phosphate.

Carrier proteins that can be used in the supramolecular antigenic construct compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, maltose binding protein “MBP”; bovine serum albumin “BSA”; keyhole lympet hemocyanin “KLH”; ovalbumin; flagellin; thyroglobulin; serum albumin of any species; gamma globulin of any species; syngeneic cells; syngeneic cells bearing Ia antigens; and polymers of D- and/or L-amino acids.

Further, the term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to the amount of antibody which, when administered to a human or animal, elicits an immune response which is sufficient to result in a therapeutic effect in said human or animal. The effective amount is readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art following routine procedures.

“Homology” between two sequences is determined by sequence identity. If two sequences which are to be compared with each other differ in length, sequence identity preferably relates to the percentage of the nucleotide residues of the shorter sequence which are identical with the nucleotide residues of the longer sequence. Sequence identity can be determined conventionally with the use of computer programs such as the Bestfit program (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group, University Research Park, 575 Science Drive Madison, Wis. 53711). Bestfit utilizes the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman, Advances in Applied Mathematics 2 (1981), 482-489, in order to find the segment having the highest sequence identity between two sequences. When using Bestfit or another sequence alignment program to determine whether a particular sequence has, for example, 95% identity with a reference sequence of the present invention, the parameters are preferably adjusted so that the percentage of identity is calculated over the entire length of the reference sequence and homology gaps of up to 5% of the total number of the nucleotides in the reference sequence are permitted. When using Bestfit, the so-called optional parameters are preferably left at their preset (“default”) values. The deviations appearing in the comparison between a given sequence and the above-described sequences of the invention may be caused for instance by addition, deletion, substitution, insertion or recombination. Such a sequence comparison can preferably also be carried out with the program “fasta20u66” (version 2.0u66, September 1998 by William R. Pearson and the University of Virginia; see also W. R. Pearson (1990), Methods in Enzymology 183, 63-98, appended examples and http://workbench.sdsc.edu/). For this purpose, the “default” parameter settings may be used.

As used herein a “conservative change” refers to alterations that are substantially conformationally or antigenically neutral, producing minimal changes in the tertiary structure of the mutant polypeptides, or producing minimal changes in the antigenic determinants of the mutant polypeptides, respectively, as compared to the native protein. When referring to the antibodies and antibody fragments of the invention, a conservative change means an amino acid substitution that does not render the antibody incapable of binding to the subject receptor. One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to predict which amino acid substitutions can be made while maintaining a high probability of being conformationally and antigenically neutral. Such guidance is provided, for example in Berzofsky, (1985) Science 229:932-940 and Bowie et al. (1990) Science 247:1306-1310. Factors to be considered that affect the probability of maintaining conformational and antigenic neutrality include, but are not limited to: (a) substitution of hydrophobic amino acids is less likely to affect antigenicity because hydrophobic residues are more likely to be located in a protein's interior; (b) substitution of physiochemically similar, amino acids is less likely to affect conformation because the substituted amino acid structurally mimics the native amino acid; and (c) alteration of evolutionarily conserved sequences is likely to adversely affect conformation as such conservation suggests that the amino acid sequences may have functional importance. One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to assess alterations in protein conformation using well-known assays, such as, but not limited to microcomplement fixation methods (see Wasserman et al. (1961) J. Immunol. 87:290-295; Levine et al. (1967) Meth. Enzymol. 11:928-936) and through binding studies using conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies (see Lewis et al. (1983) Biochem. 22:948-954).

The term “hybridize” as used herein refers to conventional hybridization conditions, preferably to hybridization conditions at which 5×SSPE, 1% SDS, 1×Denhardts solution is used as a solution and/or hybridization temperatures are between 35° C. and 70° C., preferably 65° C. After hybridization, washing is preferably carried out first with 2×SSC, 1% SDS and subsequently with 0.2×SSC at temperatures between 35° C. and 70° C., preferably at 65° C. (regarding the definition of SSPE, SSC and Denhardts solution see Sambrook et al. Molecular Biology: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989). Stringent hybridization conditions as for instance described in Sambrook et al, supra, are particularly preferred. Particularly preferred stringent hybridization conditions are for instance present if hybridization and washing occur at 65° C. as indicated above. Non-stringent hybridization conditions, for instance with hybridization and washing carried out at 45° C., are less preferred and at 35° C. even less.

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of specific embodiments included herein. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the invention.

The present invention provides antibodies and functional parts thereof which are conformationally sensitive antibodies. These antibodies recognize specific epitopes on a wide variety of amyloid proteinic antigens. The antibodies are useful for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins, and especially in Alzheimer's Disease.

Antibodies may be administered to individuals to passively immunize them against a variety of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins, such as Alzheimer's disease.

The antibodies provided herein are monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies having binding specificity for antigenic peptides involved in the initiation, progression, and/or worsening of various diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins such as, Alzheimer's disease.

The antibodies according to the invention are prepared by immunizing an animal, such as a mouse, rat, rabbit or any other animal species which can produce native or human antibodies, with a supramolecular antigenic construct composition.

The supramolecular antigenic constructs as disclosed herein generally comprise peptides modified to enhance antigenic effect wherein such peptides are modified via pegylation (using polyethylene glycol or modified polyethylene glycol), or modified via other methods such as by palmitic acid, poly-amino acids (e.g. poly-glycine, poly-histidine), poly-saccharides (e.g. polygalacturonic acid, polylactic acid, polyglycolide, chitin, chitosan), synthetic polymers (polyamides, polyurethanes, polyesters) or co-polymers (e.g. poly(methacrylic acid) and N-(2-hydroxy) propyl methacrylamide) and the like.

Modification by palmitic acid (palmitoylation), while providing an anchor for the peptide in the liposome bilayer, due to the relative reduced length of the C_(16:0) fatty acid moiety leads to the peptide practically laying on the liposome surface. Therefore, the cells processing the antigen will have to take up the entire liposome with the peptide, which, in the majority of cases, results in a slower immune response in relative terms.

In one embodiment of the invention, a modified amyloid Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ peptide and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀, peptide, respectively, is used in the preparation of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, a modified amyloid Aβ₁₋₁₅ peptide is used in the preparation of an antibody, particularly a monoclonal antibody according to the invention.

The modified amyloid Aβ₁₋₁₅ peptide may be synthesized following the method reported in Nicolau et. al. 2002. The approach reported in Nicolau et al involves modifying the antigenic peptide by an on-resin grafting of a lipophilic or hydrophobic moiety, to the terminal amino acid residues of a pre-formed peptide resulting in a product of considerably high purity. In particular, a protected amino acid, particularly a Fmoc-protected amino acid, is attached to a resin using known coupling chemistry. The protecting group is removed and a second protected amino acid residue coupled. Standard automated peptide synthesis using known protection chemistry, particularly Fmoc/tBu chemistry, and standard side-chain protecting groups are then used to synthesize the Aβ antigenic peptide by coupling on amino acids 22 to 25, 29 to 40 and 1 to 15, respectively, of amyloid protein Aβ₁₋₄₂. to produce the peptide fragment. In a final step two further protected amino acids are coupled to the growing peptide fragment. The Mtt groups can then be selectively cleaved and coupled to palmitic acid. After washing of the resin, the protecting group is removed and the resin simultaneously cleaved, followed by side-chain deprotections using standard methodology. The final product can then be obtained in high purity and its identity confirmed by methods known in the art such as, for example, electrospray mass spectrometry.

The lipophilic or hydrophobic moiety according to the present invention may be a fatty acid, a triglyceride or a phospholipid wherein the fatty acid carbon back bone has at least 10 carbon atoms. Particularly, the lipophilic or hydrophobic moiety is a fatty acids with a carbon backbone of at least approximately 14 carbon atoms and up to approximately 24 carbon atoms, with each individual number of carbon atom falling within this range also being part of the present invention. More particularly, the lipophilic or hydrophobic moiety has a carbon backbone of at least 14 carbon atoms. Examples of hydrophobic moieties include, but are not limited to, palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and cholesterol or DSPE. In a specific embodiment of the present invention the lipophilic or hydrophobic moiety is palmitic acid.

To enhance the immune response, another anchor/spacer can suitably be applied to reconstitute the peptide in the liposome, e.g. polyethylene glycol (PEG).

PEG is covalently attached to an amino acid residue bound at both termini of the peptide, in particular Glu, Cys or Lys amino acid residue or any other amino acid residue that can be suitably used to covalently bind PEG to the peptide. At the other end of the chain a hydrophobic moiety may be covalently bound to function as the anchoring element in the liposome bilayer such as, for example, phosphatidyl ethanol amine (PEA). Thus, the liposome still functions as an adjuvant and the peptide being sufficiently far away from the bilayer can be processed alone and thus increases its immunogenicity as compared to the palmitoylated antigen.

In certain embodiments, the supramolecular antigenic constructs used within the scope of the present invention comprise a peptide sequence, covalently attached to pegylated lysine-one at each terminus. The length of the PEG (polyethylenglycol) chain may vary from n=8 to n=150.000 or more, particularly from n=10 to n=80.000, more particularly from n=20 to n=10.000. In a specific embodiment of the invention the length of the PEG chain is not more than n=45, particularly between n=5 and n=40, more particularly between n=10 and n=30, and even more particularly n=10.

The supramolecular constructs described herein can be synthesized using automated peptide synthesis and known protection chemistry, particularly Fmoc/tBu chemistry and standard side-chain protecting groups. Typically, pegylation of peptides results in mixtures of regioisomers.

To achieve a site-specific attachment of a PEG-lipid conjugate to both the C- and N-terminus of Aβ partially protected peptides may be used. For those peptide sequences containing internal Lys or His residues an orthogonally protected Lys(ivDde) is added to each terminus. An additional Gly may be added to the C-terminal end to facilitate synthesis. The protecting group is removed and N-acetylated using acetic anhydride followed by selective cleavage of the ivDde groups.

A resin, particularly a 2-chlorotrityl resin, is to be favored which is acid sensitive and thus enables the isolation of protected peptides.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the coupling reaction is performed in the solution phase. Selective cleavage from the resin under mild conditions then release the internally protected peptides.

Solution-phase couplings were achieved successfully with the peptides derived from a β-amyloid protein sequence such as, for example, a Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀, respectively, or a Aβ₁₋₁₅ to a PEG molecule modified by a fatty acid—phosphatidylcholine such as, for example, DSPE. Separation of the mono- and di-coupled products before final side-chain deprotections can be achieved by using cation-exchange chromatography. Subsequent peptide side-chain deprotections leads to the isolation of the desired conjugates with an acceptable purity. Purification can be achieved by methods well known in the art such as, for example, HPLC. etc.

This approach to the synthesis of N- and C-terminal lipid-PEG β-amyloid antigens using protected peptides is applicable to a wide variety of peptide sequences.

Liposomal antigens according to the invention may then be prepared as described in Nicolau et al., 2002. The modified amyloid Aβ antigenic peptide, particularly the modified PEGylated Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀ antigenic peptide, or the palmytoylated Aβ₁₋₁₅ antigenic peptide, may be reconstituted in a construct consisting of liposomes, particularly liposomes made of dimyristoyl phosphatidyl choline (DMPC), dimyristoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DMPEA), dimyristoyl phosphatidyl glycerol (DMPG) and cholesterol, optionally containing monophosphoryl lipid A.

In a specific embodiment of the invention liposomes with lipid A are used as adjuvant to prepare the anti-amyloid vaccine. Dimyristoylphosphatidyl-choline, -glycerol and cholesterol are mixed, particularly in a molar ratio of 0.9:1.0:0.7. A strong immunmodulator such as, for example, monophosphoryl lipid A is then added at a suitable concentration, particularly at a concentration of between 30 and 50 mg per mmol, more particularly at 40 mg per mmol of phospholipids. The modified antigenic Aβ peptide is then added at a molar ratio peptide to phospholipids of between 1:30 and 1:200, particularly at a molar ratio of between 1:1000, 1:50, and 1:120, more particularly of 1:100. Solvents are removed, for example through evaporation, and the resulting film hydrated with sterile buffer solution such as, for example PBS.

Liposomes may also be prepared by the crossflow injection technique as described, for example, in Wagner et al. (2002) Journal of Liposome Research Vol 12 (3), pp 259-270. During the injection of lipid solutions into an aqueous buffer system, lipids tend to form “precipitates”, followed by self arrangement in vesicles. The obtained vesicle size depends on factors such as lipid concentration, stirring rate, injection rate, and the choice of lipids. The preparation system may consist of a crossflow injection module, vessels for the polar phase (e.g. a PBS buffer solution), an ethanol/lipid solution vessel and a pressure device, but particularly a nitrogen pressure device. While the aqueous or polar solution is pumped through the crossflow injection module the ethanol/lipid solution is injected into the polar phase with varying pressures applied.

The liposome still functions as an adjuvant and the peptide being sufficiently far away from the bilayer can be processed alone and thus increases its immunogenicity as compared to the palmitoylated antigen.

The free PEG terminus is covalently attached to a molecule of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (where the fatty acid can be: myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic etc. or a combination thereof) to function as the anchoring element. This supramolecular structure may be anchored by reconstitution in liposomes consisting of phospholipids and cholesterol (phosphatidylethanol amine, phosphatidyl glycerol, cholesterol in varied molar ratios. Other phospholipids can be used. Lipid A is used at a concentration of approximately 40 μg/μmole of phospholipids.

In certain embodiments, the palmitoylated or pegylated supramolecular antigenic constructs comprise a peptide having the amino acid sequence of β-amyloid. The peptides may also comprise or correspond to whole amyloid beta peptide and active fragments thereof. Additionally, peptides useful for the present invention in particular comprise Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀, respectively, or Aβ₁₋₁₅ and active fragments thereof.

For eliciting and preparing antibodies and for determining immuogenicity of the modified Aβ antigenic construct a suitable animal selected from the group consisting of mice, rats, rabbits, pigs, birds, etc, but particularly mice, especially C57BL/6 mice are immunized with the antigenic peptide. Immunogenicity of the antigenic construct is determined by probing sera samples in suitable time intervals after immunization using a immunoassay such as, for example, an ELISA assay.

The monoclonal antibodies of the present invention can be prepared using classical cloning and cell fusion techniques well known in the art. The immunogen (antigen) of interest, is typically administered (e.g. intraperitoneal injection) to wild type or inbred mice (e.g. BALB/c or especially C57BL/6 mice), rats, rabbits or other animal species or transgenic mice which can produce native or human antibodies. The immunogen can be administered alone, or mixed with adjuvant, or expressed from a vector (VEE replicon vector, vaccinia), or as DNA, or as a fusion protein to induce an immune response. Fusion proteins comprise the peptide against which an immune response is desired coupled to carrier proteins, such as, for example, beta galactosidase, glutathione S-transferase, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), and bovine serum albumin. In these cases, the peptides serve as haptens with the carrier proteins. After the animal is boosted, for example, two or more times, spleen cells are harvested from the immunized animals and hybridomas generated by fusing sensitized spleen cells with a myeloma cell line, such as murine SP2/O myeloma cells (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) using the well-known processes of Kohler and Milstein (Nature 256: 495-497 (1975)) and Harlow and Lane (Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York 1988)).

In a specific embodiment of the invention the antigenic construct according to the invention, particularly a vaccine composition comprising said antigenic construct in a pharmaceutically acceptable form, is administered in repeated doses, in particular in 1 to 15 doses, more particularly in 2 to 10 doses, even more particularly in 3 to 7 doses but especially in 4 to 6 doses, in time intervals of between 1 and 10 weeks, particularly in time intervals of between 1 and 6 weeks, more particularly in time intervals of between 1 and 4 weeks, and even more particularly in time intervals of between 2 and 3 weeks. The immune response is monitored by taking sera samples at a suitable time after boosting, particularly 3 to 10 days after boosting, more particularly 4 to 8 days after boosting and more particularly 5 to 6 days after boosting and determining the immunogenicity of the antigenic construct using known methodology, particularly one of the commonly used immunoassays such as, for example, an ELISA assay.

Immunization with the antigenic construct according to the invention, but particularly with a vaccine composition comprising the antigenic construct according to the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable form leads to a significant immune response in the treated animal. Animals, but especially mice with therapeutic titers are selected for a fusion of antibody producing cells, particularly B-lymphocytes with a continuously growing or immortal cell line, such as a myeloma cell line. The cells are induced to fuse by the addition of polyethylene glycol. Therapeutic titers are those which give a positive result in an ELISA assay in a dilution of between 1:4000 and 1:6000, particularly of between 1:4500 and 1:5500, more particularly of 1:5000.

The resulting hybrid cells are then cloned in the conventional manner, e.g. using limiting dilution, and the resulting clones, which produce the desired monoclonal antibodies, cultured.

The so obtained hybridomas are chemically selected by plating the cells in a selection medium containing hypoxanthine, aminopterin and thymidine (HAT).

Hybridomas are subsequently screened for the ability to produce monoclonal antibodies against specific amyloid-associated diseases or disorders. Hybridomas producing antibodies of interest are cloned, expanded and stored frozen for future production. The preferred hybridoma produces a monoclonal antibody having the IgG isotype.

The polyclonal antibody is prepared by immunizing animals, such as mice or rabbits, or any other suitable animal with supramolecular antigenic construct compositions of the present invention described herein. Blood sera is subsequently collected from the animals, and antibodies in the sera screened for binding reactivity against the amyloid protein.

The antibodies according to the invention can be prepared in a physiologically acceptable formulation and may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent and/or excipient using known techniques. For example, the antibody according to the invention and as described herein including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof, in particular, the monoclonal antibody including any functionally equivalent antibody or functional parts thereof is combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent and/or excipient to form a therapeutic composition. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers, diluents and/or excipients are well known in the art and include, for example, phosphate buffered saline solutions, water, emulsions such as oil/water emulsions, various types of wetting agents, sterile solutions, etc.

Formulation of the pharmaceutical composition according to the invention can be accomplished according to standard methodology know to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The compositions of the present invention may be administered to a subject in the form of a solid, liquid or aerosol at a suitable, pharmaceutically effective dose. Examples of solid compositions include pills, creams, and implantable dosage units. Pills may be administered orally. Therapeutic creams may be administered topically. Implantable dosage units may be administered locally, for example, at a tumor site, or may be implanted for systematic release of the therapeutic composition, for example, subcutaneously. Examples of liquid compositions include formulations adapted for injection intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intravenously, intra-arterially, and formulations for topical and intraocular administration. Examples of aerosol formulations include inhaler formulations for administration to the lungs.

The compositions may be administered by standard routes of administration. In general, the composition may be administered by topical, oral, rectal, nasal, interdermal, intraperitoneal, or parenteral (for example, intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular) routes. In addition, the composition may be incorporated into sustained release matrices such as biodegradable polymers, the polymers being implanted in the vicinity of where delivery is desired, for example, at the site of a tumor. The method includes administration of a single dose, administration of repeated doses at predetermined time intervals, and sustained administration for a predetermined period of time.

A sustained release matrix, as used herein, is a matrix made of materials, usually polymers which are degradable by enzymatic or acid/base hydrolysis or by dissolution. Once inserted into the body, the matrix is acted upon by enzymes and body fluids. The sustained release matrix desirably is chosen by biocompatible materials such as liposomes, polylactides (polylactide acid), polyglycolide (polymer of glycolic acid), polylactide co-glycolide (copolymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid), polyanhydrides, poly(ortho)esters, polypeptides, hyaluronic acid, collagen, chondroitin sulfate, carboxylic acids, fatty acids, phospholipids, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, polyamino acids, amino acids such phenylalanine, tyrosine, isoleucine, polynucleotides, polyvinyl propylene, polyvinylpyrrolidone and silicone. A preferred biodegradable matrix is a matrix of one of either polylactide, polyglycolide, or polylactide co-glycolide (co-polymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid).

It is well known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art that the dosage of the composition will depend on various factors such as, for example, the condition of being treated, the particular composition used, and other clinical factors such as weight, size, sex and general health condition of the patient, body surface area, the particular compound or composition to be administered, other drugs being administered concurrently, and the route of administration.

The composition may be administered in combination with other compositions comprising an biologically active substance or compound, particularly at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds against oxidative stress, anti-apoptotic compounds, metal chelators, inhibitors of DNA repair such as pirenzepin and metabolites, 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid (3APS), 1,3-propanedisulfonate (1,3PDS), secretase activators, β- and γ-secretase inhibitors, tau proteins, neurotransmitter, β-sheet breakers, anti-inflammatory molecules, “atypical antipsychotics” such as, for example clozapine, ziprasidone, risperidone, aripiprazole or olanzapine or cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) such as tacrine, rivastigmine, donepezil, and/or galantamine and other drugs and nutritive supplements such as, for example, vitamin B12, cysteine, a precursor of acetylcholine, lecithin, choline, Ginkgo biloba, acyetyl-L-carnitine, idebenone, propentofylline, or a xanthine derivative, together with an antibody according to the present invention and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or a diluent and/or an excipient and instructions for the treatment of diseases.

Proteinaceous pharmaceutically active matter may be present in amounts between 1 ng and 10 mg per dose. Generally, the regime of administration should be in the range of between 0.1 μg and 10 mg of the antibody according to the invention, particularly in a range 1.0 μg to 1.0 mg, and more particularly in a range of between 1.0 μg and 100 μg, with all individual numbers falling within these ranges also being part of the invention. If the administration occurs through continuous infusion a more proper dosage may be in the range of between 0.01 μg and 10 mg units per kilogram of body weight per hour with all individual numbers falling within these ranges also being part of the invention.

Administration will generally be parenterally, e.g. intravenously. Preparations for parenteral administration include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions and emulsions. Non-aqueous solvents include, without being limited to, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oil such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Aqueous solvents may be chosen from the group consisting of water, alcohol/aqueous solutions, emulsions or suspensions including saline and buffered media. Parenteral vehicles include sodium chloride solution, Ringer's dextrose, dextrose and sodium chloride, lactated Ringer's, or fixed oils. Intravenous vehicles include fluid and nutrient replenishers, electrolyte replenishers (such as those based on Ringer's dextrose) and others. Preservatives may also be present such as, for example, antimicrobials, anti-oxidants, chelating agents, inert gases, etc.

The pharmaceutical composition may further comprise proteinaceous carriers such as, for example, serum albumin or immunoglobulin, particularly of human origin. Further biologically active agents may be present in the pharmaceutical composition of the invention dependent on its the intended use.

When the binding target is located in the brain, certain embodiments of the invention provide for the antibody or active fragment thereof to traverse the blood-brain barrier. Certain neurodegenerative diseases are associated with an increase in permeability of the blood-brain barrier, such that the antibody or active fragment thereof can be readily introduced to the brain. When the blood-brain barrier remains intact, several art-known approaches exist for transporting molecules across it, including, but not limited to, physical methods, lipid-based methods, and receptor and channel-based methods.

Physical methods of transporting the antibody or active fragment thereof across the blood-brain barrier include, but are not limited to, circumventing the blood-brain barrier entirely, or by creating openings in the blood-brain barrier. Circumvention methods include, but are not limited to, direct injection into the brain (see, e.g., Papanastassiou et al., Gene Therapy 9: 398-406 (2002)) and implanting a delivery device in the brain (see, e.g., Gill et al., Nature Med. 9: 589-595 (2003); and Gliadel Wafers™, Guildford Pharmaceutical). Methods of creating openings in the barrier include, but are not limited to, ultrasound (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0038086), osmotic pressure (e.g., by administration of hypertonic mannitol (Neuwelt, E. A., Implication of the Blood-Brain Barrier and its Manipulation, Vols 1 & 2, Plenum Press, N.Y. (1989))), permeabilization by, e.g., bradykinin or permeabilizer A-7 (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,112,596, 5,268,164, 5,506,206, and 5,686,416), and transfection of neurons that straddle the blood-brain barrier with vectors containing genes encoding the antibody or antigen-binding fragment (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0083299).

Lipid-based methods of transporting the antibody or active fragment thereof across the blood-brain barrier include, but are not limited to, encapsulating the antibody or active fragment thereof in liposomes that are coupled to active fragments thereof that bind to receptors on the vascular endothelium of the blood-brain barrier (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20020025313), and coating the antibody or active fragment thereof in low-density lipoprotein particles (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040204354) or apolipoprotein E (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040131692).

Receptor and channel-based methods of transporting the antibody or active fragment thereof across the blood-brain barrier include, but are not limited to, using glucocorticoid blockers to increase permeability of the blood-brain barrier (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2002/0065259, 2003/0162695, and 2005/0124533); activating potassium channels (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0089473), inhibiting ABC drug transporters (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0073713); coating antibodies with a transferrin and modulating activity of the one or more transferrin receptors (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0129186), and cationizing the antibodies (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,697).

In a further embodiment the present invention provides methods and kits for the detection and diagnosis of amyloid-associated diseases or conditions, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation. The pathological abnormalities may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy. Further, the present invention provides methods and kits for diagnosing a predisposition to an amyloid-associated disease or condition, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, which may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, such as the visual cortex leading to cortical visual deficits; the anterior chamber and the optic nerve leading to glaucoma; the lens leading to cataract due to beta-amyloid deposition; the vitreous leading to ocular amyloidosis; the retina leading to primary retinal degeneration, and macular degeneration, for example age-related macular degeneration; the optic nerve leading to optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis; and the cornea leading to lattice dystrophy, or for monitoring minimal residual disease in a patient or for predicting responsiveness of a patient to a treatment with an antibody or a vaccine composition according to the invention and as described herein. These methods include known immunological methods commonly used for detecting or quantifying substances in biological samples or in an in situ condition.

Diagnosis of an amyloid-associated disease or condition or of a predisposition to an amyloid-associated disease or condition in a subject in need thereof, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, may be achieved by detecting the immunospecific binding of an antibody of the invention, particularly a monoclonal antibody or an active fragment thereof to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ, which includes bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody which binds an epitope of the amyloid protein, allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunologic complex, detecting the formation of the immunologic complex and correlating the presence or absence of the immunologic complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area, optionally comparing the amount of the immunologic complex to a normal control value, wherein an increase in the amount of the immunologic complex compared to a normal control value indicates that the subject is suffering from or is at risk of developing an amyloid-associated disease or condition. The amyloid protein may be in the monomeric, fibril, and/or polymeric form. The antibody or active portion thereof may be specific for the monomeric, fibril, and/or polymeric forms of the amyloid protein.

Monitoring minimal residual disease in a subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human, following treatment with an antibody or a vaccine composition according to the invention may be achieved by detecting the immunospecific binding of an antibody of the invention, particularly a monoclonal antibody or an active fragment thereof to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ, which includes bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody which binds an epitope of the amyloid protein, allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunologic complex, detecting the formation of the immunologic complex and correlating the presence or absence of the immunologic complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area, optionally comparing the amount of said immunologic complex to a normal control value, wherein an increase in the amount of said immunologic complex compared to a normal control value indicates that the subject may still suffer from a minimal residual disease. The amyloid protein may be in the monomeric, fibril, and/or polymeric form. The antibody or active portion thereof may be specific for the monomeric, fibril, and/or polymeric forms of the amyloid protein.

Predicting responsiveness of a subject, particularly a mammal, more particularly a human, to a treatment with a vaccine composition according to the invention may be achieved by detecting the immunospecific binding of a monoclonal antibody or an active fragment thereof to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ, which includes bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody which binds an epitope of the amyloid protein, allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunologic complex, detecting the formation of the immunologic complex and correlating the presence or absence of the immunologic complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area, optionally comparing the amount of said immunologic complex before and after onset of the treatment, wherein an decrease in the amount of said immunologic complex indicates that said patient has a high potential of being responsive to the treatment. The amyloid protein may be in the monomeric, fibril, and/or polymeric form. The antibody or active portion thereof may be specific for the monomeric, fibril, and/or polymeric forms of the amyloid protein.

Biological samples that may be used in the diagnosis of an amyloid-associated disease or condition, for diagnosing a predisposition to an amyloid-associated disease or condition, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, which may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, or for monitoring minimal residual disease in a patient or for predicting responsiveness of a patient to a treatment with an antibody or a vaccine composition according to the invention and as described herein are, for example, fluids such as serum, plasma, saliva, gastric secretions, mucus, cerebrospinal fluid, lymphatic fluid and the like or tissue or cell samples obtained from an organism such as neural, brain, cardiac or vascular tissue. For determining the presence or absence of the amyloid protein in a sample any immunoassay known to those of ordinary skill in the art. may be used such as, for example, assays which utilize indirect detection methods using secondary reagents for detection, ELISA's and immunoprecipitation and agglutination assays. A detailed description of these assays is, for example, given in Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York 1988 555-612, WO96/13590 to Maertens and Stuyver, Zrein et al. (1998) and WO96/29605.

For in situ diagnosis, the antibody or any active and functional part thereof may be administered to the organism to be diagnosed by methods known in the art such as, for example, intravenous, intranasal, intraperitoneal, intracerebral, intraarterial injection such that a specific binding between an antibody according to the invention with an eptitopic region on the amyloid protein may occur. The antibody/antigen complex may conveniently be detected through a label attached to the antibody or a functional fragment thereof or any other art-known method of detection.

The immunoassays used in diagnostic applications or in applications for diagnosing a predisposition to an amyloid-associated disease or condition, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, which may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, or for monitoring minimal residual disease in a patient or for predicting responsiveness of a patient to a treatment with an antibody or a vaccine composition according to the invention and as described herein typically rely on labelled antigens, antibodies, or secondary reagents for detection. These proteins or reagents can be labelled with compounds generally known to those of ordinary skill in the art including enzymes, radioisotopes, and fluorescent, luminescent and chromogenic substances including, but not limited to colored particles, such as colloidal gold and latex beads. Of these, radioactive labelling can be used for almost all types of assays and with most variations. Enzyme-conjugated labels are particularly useful when radioactivity must be avoided or when quick results are needed. Fluorochromes, although requiring expensive equipment for their use, provide a very sensitive method of detection. Antibodies useful in these assays include monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, and affinity purified polyclonal antibodies.

Alternatively, the antibody may be labelled indirectly by reaction with labelled substances that have an affinity for immunoglobulin, such as protein A or G or second antibodies. The antibody may be conjugated with a second substance and detected with a labelled third substance having an affinity for the second substance conjugated to the antibody. For example, the antibody may be conjugated to biotin and the antibody-biotin conjugate detected using labelled avidin or streptavidin. Similarly, the antibody may be conjugated to a hapten and the antibody-hapten conjugate detected using labelled anti-hapten antibody.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will know of these and other suitable labels which may be employed in accordance with the present invention. The binding of these labels to antibodies or fragments thereof can be accomplished using standard techniques commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typical techniques are described by Kennedy, J. H., et al., 1976 (Clin. Chim. Acta 70:1-31), and Schurs, A. H. W. M., et al. 1977 (Clin. Chim Acta 81:1-40). Coupling techniques mentioned in the latter are the glutaraldehyde method, the periodate method, the dimaleimide method, and others, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Current immunoassays utilize a double antibody method for detecting the presence of an analyte, wherein. the antibody is labeled indirectly by reactivity with a second antibody that has been labeled with a detectable label. The second antibody is preferably one that binds to antibodies of the animal from which the monoclonal antibody is derived. In other words, if the monoclonal antibody is a mouse antibody, then the labeled, second antibody is an anti-mouse antibody. For the antibody to be used in the assay described herein, this label is preferably an antibody-coated bead, particularly a magnetic bead. For the antibody to be employed in the immunoassay described herein, the label is preferably a detectable molecule such as a radioactive, fluorescent or an electrochemiluminescent substance.

An alternative double antibody system, often referred to as fast format systems because they are adapted to rapid determinations of the presence of an analyte, may also be employed within the scope of the present invention. The system requires high affinity between the antibody and the analyte. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the presence of the amyloid protein is determined using a pair of antibodies, each specific for amyloid protein. One of said pairs of antibodies is referred to herein as a “detector antibody” and the other of said pair of antibodies is referred to herein as a “capture antibody”. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention can be used as either a capture antibody or a detector antibody. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention can also be used as both capture and detector antibody, together in a single assay. One embodiment of the present invention thus uses the double antibody sandwich method for detecting amyloid protein in a sample of biological fluid. In this method, the analyte (amyloid protein) is sandwiched between the detector antibody and the capture antibody, the capture antibody being irreversibly immobilized onto a solid support. The detector antibody would contain a detectable label, in order to identify the presence of the antibody-analyte sandwich and thus the presence of the analyte.

Exemplary solid phase substances include, but are not limited to, microtiter plates, test tubes of polystyrene, magnetic, plastic or glass beads and slides which are well known in the field of radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay. Methods for coupling antibodies to solid phases are also well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. More recently, a number of porous material such as nylon, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, glass fibers and other porous polymers have been employed as solid supports.

The present invention also relates to a diagnostic kit for detecting amyloid protein in a biological sample comprising a composition as defined above. Moreover, the present invention relates to the latter diagnostic kit which, in addition to a composition as defined above, also comprises a detection reagent as defined above. The term “diagnostic kit” refers in general to any diagnostic kit known in the art. More specifically, the latter term refers to a diagnostic kit as described in Zrein et al. (1998).

It is still another object of the present invention to provide novel immunoprobes and test kits for detection and diagnosis of amyloid-associated diseases and conditions, including ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, which may occur, for example, in different tissues of the eye, comprising antibodies according to the present invention. For immunoprobes, the antibodies are directly or indirectly attached to a suitable reporter molecule, e.g., an enzyme or a radionuclide. The test kit includes a container holding one or more antibodies according to the present invention and instructions for using the antibodies for the purpose of binding to amyloid antigen to form an immunologic complex and detecting the formation of the immunologic complex such that presence or absence of the immunologic complex correlates with presence or absence of amyloid protein.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Antibody Generated Through Immunization with a Palmitoylated Aβ₁₋₁₅ Supramolecular Antigenic Constructs Example 1.1 Methods for Making Palmitoylated Aβ₁₋₁₅ Supramolecular Antigenic Constructs 1.1.1 Synthesis of Tetra(Palmitoyl Lysine)-Aβ₁₋₁₅ Peptide Antigen

The palmitoylated amyloid 1-15 peptide was synthesized following an improved previously reported method (Nicolau et. al. 2002). This new approach involved on-resin grafting of palmitic acid to the terminal Lys residues of the pre-formed peptide rather than stepwise solid-phase synthesis incorporating the modified amino acid 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-Lys(Pal)-OH. This new approach improves coupling efficiency and gives a product of considerably higher purity. Thus, the orthogonally protected amino acid Fmoc-Lys(Mtt)-OH was attached to a Wang resin using [2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate] (HBTU) coupling chemistry. The Fmoc group was removed using 20% piperidine in DMF and a second residue of Fmoc-Lys(Mtt)-OH was coupled. Standard automated peptide synthesis using Fmoc/tBu chemistry and standard side-chain protecting groups was then used to couple on the next 15 amino acids to yield a peptide sequence. Finally, the last two amino acids coupled were Fmoc-Lys(Mtt)-OH. The Mtt groups were then selectively cleaved using 1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in dichloromethane to release a peptide fragment and then coupled to palmitic acid using HBTU. After resin wash, the Fmoc group was removed with 20% piperidine in dimethylformamide (DMF) and finally simultaneous resin cleavage and side-chain deprotections were carried out using TFA under standard conditions. Trituration from cold diethyl ether gave the product as a white solid. Electrospray mass spectrometry confirmed the identity of the product (m/z expected: 1097.9 ([M]3+); found: 1096.8 ([M−3H]3+), with no other tri-, di- or mono-palmitoylated peptides detected.

Example 1.2 Antibodies Elicited by Supramolecular Antigenic Constructs Manufacturing of mAbs Raised Against Palmitoylated Aβ₁₋₁₅ Supramolecular Antigenic Construct

Palmitoylated antigen (ACI-24, Aβ₁₋₁₅) was used for the immunization in C57BL/6 mice in 2 week intervals. 10-12 animals were immunized with each antigen (Injection vol: 200 μl containing 8 nmoles peptide). Last injection was performed 4 days before sacrifice of the animals. After 5 boostings mice with therapeutic titers (when a 1:5,000 dilution of the sera were positive in ELISA) were selected for a fusion. Spleen cells are harvested from the immunized animals and hybridomas generated by fusing sensitized spleen cells with a myeloma cell line. The fusion of the mice's B-lymphocytes from the spleens was conducted with cells of myeloma cell line SP2-0. (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) using the well-known processes of Kohler and Milstein (Nature 256: 495-497 (1975)) and Harlow and Lane (Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York 1988))

The cells were induced to fuse by the addition of polyethylene glycol. The resulting hybrid cells were then cultured for 10±14 day in the conventional manner to allow clonal growth. Initial clonal selection was made using limiting dilution. IgG producing hybridoma clones were selected and tested for their specific binding to the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide by ELISA and the resulting clones, which produce the desired monoclonal antibodies, cultured.

The so obtained hybridomas were chemically selected by plating the cells in a selection medium containing hypoxanthine, aminopterin and thymidine (HAT).

Hybridomas were subsequently screened for the ability to produce monoclonal antibodies against specific amyloid-associated diseases or disorders. Once the mother clone was identified, it was subcloned four times to assure monoclonality and allow the hybrid to stabilize. Hybridomas producing antibodies of interest were cloned, expanded and stored frozen for future production.

The antibody was isotyped by a commercially available mouse monoclonal isotyping kit and the stable clone was adapted to serum free medium and placed in a bioreactor for antibody production.

The preferred hybridoma produced a monoclonal antibody having the IgG1 isotype.

Example 1.3 Specificity Determination for Antibody mACI-24-Ab3

To analyze the specificity of the antibody mACI-24-Ab3, different concentrations of pre-formed Amyloid ₁₋₄₂, 1-40 and 17-40, 1-28 fibrils are blotted onto Hybond ECL Nitrocellulose Membrane (Amersham Biosciences). After blocking with 10% dry milk and 0.7% Tween 20, membranes are incubated with primary antibody at 20 μg/ml for 2 h at RT. After washing, membranes are incubated with horse radish peroxidase conjugated sheep anti-mouse IgG antibody (Amersham Biosciences) for 1 h at RT, washed and incubated with cheminluminescent solution followed by the exposure of the membrane to X-ray film.

To measure binding of the mAb mACI-24-Ab3 to amyloid β₁₋₄₂, 1-40 and 17-40, 1-28 fibers are pre-formed for seven days at 37° C. and blotted on the membrane. 20 μg/ml antibody is used to measure binding capacity and the bound antibody is detected by horse radish peroxidase conjugated sheep anti-mouse IgG antibody for 20 minutes of exposure.

Example 1.4 Thioflavin T (Th-T) Fluorescent Assay

To measure both inhibition of aggregation as well as disaggregation properties of the mAb the Thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay was used which specifically binds to fibrillar Aβ₁₋₄₂ molecules and subsequently the fluorescent emission intensity correlates with the amount of Aβ₁₋₄₂ filaments present in the solution.

Aβ₁₋₄₂ lyophilized powder was reconstituted in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) to 1 mM. The peptide solution was sonicated for 15 min at room temperature, agitated overnight, and aliquots made into non-siliconized microcentrifuge tubes. The HFIP was then evaporated under a stream of argon. The resulting peptide film was vacuum dried for 10 min and stored at −80° C. until used.

1.4.1 Aβ₁₋₄₂ Aggregation Assay

To assay for the antibody-mediated inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ aggregation the antibody was pre-diluted in PBS and an assay solution containing the following components was made in a non-siliconized incubation tube: 3.3 or 0.33 μM pre-diluted antibody, 10 μM thioflavin T, 33 μM Aβ₁₋₄₂, and 8.2% DMSO. Therefore the final molar ratios of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ were 1:10 and 1:100. Appropriate control solutions were also prepared. The solutions were then incubated for 24 hrs at 37° C., and the spectrofluorescence (relative fluorescence units; RFU) read in six replicates in black 348-well plates (Perkin-Elmer) on a Perkin-Elmer FluoroCount spectrofluorometer. Inhibition of aggregation or disaggregation is expressed as mean % inhibition or disaggregation, respectively, according to the following equation compared to the control:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {Inhibition}} = {\frac{\left( {\begin{pmatrix} {{{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {pos}\mspace{14mu} {contrl}} -} \\ {{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {neg}\mspace{14mu} {contrl}} \end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix} {{{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {sample}\mspace{14mu} {with}\mspace{14mu} A\; \beta_{1 - 42}} -} \\ {{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {sample}\mspace{14mu} {without}\mspace{14mu} A\; \beta_{1 - 42}} \end{pmatrix}} \right)}{100\%} \times \begin{pmatrix} {{{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {pos}\mspace{14mu} {contrl}} -} \\ {{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {neg}\mspace{14mu} {contrl}} \end{pmatrix}}$

At an antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio of 1:100 the inhibition averaged 26% (2 independent experiments), whereas at a 1:10 molar ratio the inhibition was 51% (2 independent experiments).

1.4.2 Aβ₁₋₄₂ Disaggregation Assay

To measure the disaggregation properties of the mAb the Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescent assay was used which specifically binds to fibrillar Aβ₁₋₄₂ molecules and subsequently the fluorescent emission intensity correlates with the amount of Aβ₁₋₄₂ filaments present in the solution.

To assay for antibody-mediated disaggregation of pre-aggregated Aβ₁₋₄₂, a low-molecular weight Aβ₁₋₄₂, prepared as described above, was made up as a 110 μM solution in 27% DMSO and 1×PBS. This solution was then allowed to aggregate at 37° C. for 24 hrs after which the following were added: 3.3 or 0.33 μM pre-diluted antibody, and 10 μM thioflavin T. This resulted in a molar ratio of 1:10 and 1:100 antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂, containing 8.2% DMSO. This solution was then incubated for additional 24 hrs at 37° C. The spectrofluorescence was then measured and % disaggregation calculated as described above.

Antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 showed a significant disaggregation of pre-aggregated Aβ₁₋₄₂ in the disaggregation assay. At an antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio of 1:100 the disaggregation averaged 12% (2 independent experiments), whereas at a 1:10 molar ratio the disaggregation was 20% (2 independent experiments).

From the above results it is evident that ACI-24-Ab-3 exhibits bi-functionality in interacting with Aβ₁₋₄₂ filaments, in that it is capable of inhibiting aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ and disaggregation of preformed Aβ₁₋₄₂ fibers.

Example 1.5 mACI-01Ab7 C2-Aβ₁₋₄₂ Interactions

The interactions between antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 with amyloid peptide Aβ₁₋₄₂ is studied using surface plasmon resonance. The binding of the mouse antibody to either monomers or fibers of Aβ₁₋₄₂ is determined.

All SPR experiments are carried out on a Biacore X instrument (Biacore AB). Reagents for immobilization (EDC, NHS and ethanolamine), sensor chips CM5 and SA as well as running and sample buffer HBS-EP are purchased from Biacore AB. Sodium acetate (10 mM, pH 5.0) is used as coupling buffer to increase coupling yield. Fibrillar Aβ₁₋₄₂ (BAchem) is prepared by adding PBS buffer to Aβ₁₋₄₂ to a final concentration of 3 mg/ml and leaving the vials at 37° C. for 7 days. Fibrillar Aβ₁₋₄₂ is coupled to a CM5 sensor chip containing a surface-bound carboxymethyl dextran matrix. Biotinylated monomeric Aβ₁₋₄₂ (Bachem) is coupled to a Sensor chip SA consisting of carboxymethyl dextran matrix with covalently attached Streptavidin. Typically four or five concentrations of mAb are assayed by serial dilutions using running buffer. Injections are performed starting from the lowest concentration and are passed over both fc 1 and 2 at a flow rate of 30 μL/min for 3 min. Flow cell 2 is underivatised and responses are subtracted from fc 1 to correct for instrument noise and bulk refractive changes. After injection is finished, the surfaces are washed immediately with running buffer for 5 mM. To remove remaining bound antibody from the Aβ₁₋₄₂ fibrils, surface regeneration is performed by injecting pulses of 10 mM NaOH. Kinetic analysis is performed using algorithms for numerical integration and global analysis using BIAevaluation 3.0. The curves obtained for injections of analyte at different concentrations are overlaid and the baselines adjusted to zero. For curve fitting, all data are fit simultaneously to a 1:1 homogeneous complex.

Binding of the mouse ACI-24-Ab-3 antibody to amyloid is determined.

Example 1.6 Binding of ACI-24-Ab-3 Monoclonal Antibody to Amyloid Fibers

To analyze the molecular binding side of antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 on pre-formed fibers negatively contrasted transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) is performed.

The antibody, ACI-24-Ab-3, is coupled with 8 mm colloidal gold according to Slot J W, Geuze H J (1985). For the co-incubation of amyloid ₁₋₄₂ (Aβ₁₋₄₂) fibers 6.65 uM fibers are incubated for 24 h at RT with the gold-labeled antibody with the molar ratio of 1:100. Subsequently 5 μl of sample are incubated on the fresh glow-discharged Cu grid (mesh 200) covered with parlodium/C film for 45 seconds, washed 3 times with water and 1 times with 2% fresh diluted and filtered uranyl acetate. Samples are stained in 2% uranyl acetate for 15-20 sec. Excess of stain on the grids is sucked and consequently air-dried. Three grids of each sample are prepared. The grids are analyzed in transmission electron microscopy Hitachi 7000.

Example 1.7 Fractionation by Density-Gradient Ultracentrifugation

The properties of monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 in inhibiting Aβ₁₋₄₂ fiber polymerization and disaggregating of Aβ₁₋₄₂-fibers is studied by density-gradient ultracentrifugation (Rzepecki et al., 2004) which is based on the principle to distribute between differently sized resulting peptide fibers after incubation with and without antibodies followed by a SDS-PAGE sedimentation analysis on a preformed gradient (OptiPrep™). Simultaneous analysis of populations of preformed Aβ-fibers, disaggregation and inhibition of aggregation properties of the co-incubated antibodies, and the binding of the antibodies to the fibers are obvious advantages of this methods.

For the inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ aggregation, Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomers are incubated with mAb ACI-24-Ab-3 at two different molar ratios (molar ratio of monomer Aβ₁₋₄₂ thirty- or hundred-fold higher than mAb) with the Aβ final concentration of 50 μM. After 24 hrs incubation at 37° C., samples are overlayed over a discontinuous gradient of Optiprep™ and tubes are spun at 259 000 g for 3 hrs at 4° C. 15 fractions are harvested (140 μL each), fraction 1 is the least dense fraction from the top of the gradient and fraction 15 is the densest fraction from the bottom of the gradient. The pellet is also taken. The collected fractions are analyzed by SDS-PAGE with silver staining. The concentration Aβ₁₋₄₂ for inhibition assays is five times less than for disaggregation assays which decrease amyloid aggregation kinetic and ensure measurement within the linear phase.

For the disaggregation of preformed Aβ₁₋₄₂ fibrils by co-incubation with mAb ACI-24-Ab-3 (at two different molar ratios 1:30 and 1:100, mAb+Monomer Aβ₁₋₄₂ with the Aβ final concentration of 246 μM), the samples are incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. After 24 hrs samples are fractioned by ultracentrifugation and separated by SDS-PAGE as described above and before (Rzepecki et al., 2004).

Example 1.8 Fluorescent Assay to Assess Inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ Filament Aggregation and Disaggregation of Preformed Aβ₁₋₄₂ Filaments by Co-Incubation with mAb ACI-24-Ab-3 BIS-ANS Fluorescent Assay

To assess the inhibition properties of the mAb the BIS-ANS (LeVine, 2002) fluorescent assay is used which specifically detects the monomer or non-fibrillous population of Aβ₁₋₄₂ filaments. Before fluorescent measurement, Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomers are pre-incubated with either buffer, served as control, or mAb ACI-24-Ab-3 (molar ratio 1:100, mAb vs. Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide) for 14 hours at 37° C. Relative fluorescent units are automatically recorded and results are expressed as changes to the control in percentage.

Example 1.9 NMR and Fluorescence Characterization of the Interaction of ACI-24-Ab-3 Monoclonal Antibody with ¹³C-labeled β-Amyloid ₁₋₄₂ Peptide

To evaluate the potential mechanism by which the mAb solubilize pre-formed fibers or inhibit fiber formation, a head-to-head-experiment between Th-T fluorescent assay and solid-state NMR of U-¹³C Tyr10 and Val12-labeled β-amyloid ₁₋₄₂ peptide is performed. Therefore the aim of this investigation is to follow the β-sheet transition by solid state NMR spectroscopy in the β-amyloid peptide and in the presence of the monoclonal antibody and to directly compare this with disaggregation capacity measured by Th-T fluorescent assay.

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy not only detects a transition in the secondary structure, but it also allows to localize the domains of the Aβ₁₋₄₂-peptide which dominate the structural transition. Solid-state NMR has proven its applicability to the problem as it has contributed to the structure determination of the Aβ₁₋₄₂-fibers (Petkova et al., 2004, Petkova et al., 2002). In particular the correlation of the ¹³C_(α) and ¹³C_(β) chemical shift with the secondary structure (Cornilescu et al., 1999, Luca et al., 2001, Iwadate et al, 1999) is a valuable tool to test changes of the secondary structure within a peptide.

The synthesis of the peptide labeled including a ¹³C pre-labeled valine at position 12 (¹²Val) and a ¹³C pre-labeled tyrosine at position 10 (¹⁰Tyr) is performed by an Fmoc synthesis protocol. Identity and purity of the peptide are confirmed my MALDI mass spectroscopy. The labeled β-amyloid peptide (₁₋₄₂) is used to generate fibers by incubating the peptide solution in PBS buffer for 1 week at 37° C. The major problem, the poor solubility of the amyloid β-peptide in PBS buffer, could be solved in the following manner: the pH value of the PBS buffer is temporarily increased by tiny amounts of ammonia to dissolve the amyloid β-peptide. The original pH value of the PBS buffer is re-obtained by incubating the sample in the presence of a bigger PBS bath using the volatile character of ammonia.

To measure the effect of the β-sheet breaking antibodies, solution of fibers are incubated with the antibody for 24 hours at 37° C. for both NMR and Th-T assay. For real-time comparison an aliquot of the same solution is used for Th-T fluorescent assay and the remaining solution is lyophilized for the NMR measurements.

The disaggregation capacities of ACI-24-Ab-3 is analyzed by co-incubation with pre-formed 13C-labeled amyloid β-fibers using Th-T fluorescent assay.

To investigate the differences between PBS (control) and mAb incubation each spectrum is deconvoluted using PeakFit (www.systat.com products/PeakFit). The lines are well matched by employing a mixed Lorentzian/Gaussian fitting procedure.

Example 1.10 Functionality of ACI-24-Ab-3 on Amyloid Fibers

12.1 Modification of Conformation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ Fibers and Initiation of Disaggregation after Binding of the ACI-24-Ab-3 Antibody

In order to evaluate the mechanism by which the antibody is capable to disaggregate preformed beta-amyloid (Aβ₁₋₄₂) fibers a head-to-head comparison of Thioflavin-T (Th-T) fluorescent assay is performed measuring disaggregation and solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of U-¹³C Tyrosine 10 and Valine 12-labelled Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide analysing secondary conformation.

Example 1.11 Epitope Mapping of Monoclonal Antibody ACI-24-Ab-3

Epitope mapping of the monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 was performed by ELISA using a peptide library comprising a total of 33 biotinylated peptides covering the complete amino acid (aa) sequence of Aβ₁₋₄₂ (produced by Mimotopes, Clayton Victoria, Australia and purchased from ANAWA Trading SA, Wangen Switzerland). The peptides in the peptide library were composed of 8, 9 or 10-mer aa peptides. A biotinylated complete Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide (human sequence) was used as positive control (Bachem, Bubendorf, Switzerland). In addition, longer peptides covering Aβ1-28, Aβ17-40, Aβ1-40 and Aβ₁₋₄₂ were used to define the broader region to which these antibodies may bind. These 4 peptides were also biotinlyated (manufactured by Anaspec and purchased from ANAWA Trading SA, Switzerland). Epitope mapping was done according to the manufacturer's (Mimotopes) instructions. Briefly, Streptavidin coated plates (NUNC, Roskilde, Denmark) were blocked with 0.1% BSA in PBS overnight at 4° C. After washing with PBS-0.05% Tween 20, plates were coated for 1 hour at RT with the different peptides from the library, diluted in 0.1% BSA, 0.1% Sodium Azide in PBS to a final concentration of 10 μM. After washing, plates were incubated for 1 hour at RT with the different antibodies, diluted to 10 μg/ml for ACI-24-Ab-3 in 2% BSA, 0.1% Sodium Azide in PBS. Plates were washed again and incubated with alkaline phosphatase conjugated goat anti mouse IgG (Jackson Immunresearch West Grove, Pa., USA) for 1 h at RT. After final washing, plates were incubated with phosphatase substrate (pNPP, Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, Mo., USA) and read after 3 hours of incubation at 405 nm using an ELISA plate reader.

ACI-24-Ab-3 was surprisingly found not to bind significantly to Aβ₁₋₄₂ and also did not show any binding to any of the other peptides in the library, despite its capacity to inhibit the aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂.

To determine whether ACI-24-Ab-3 may recognize other Aβ peptides the binding to Aβ1-28, Aβ17-40, and Aβ1-40 and Aβ₁₋₄₂ was evaluated. ACI-24-Ab-3 showed no binding to Aβ17-40, no or low binding to Aβ1-28 and Aβ₁₋₄₂ but showed significant binding to Aβ1-40. This result suggests that ACI-24-Ab-3 may be specific for Aβ1-40.

Example 1.12 Influence of Passive Vaccination with ACI-24-Ab-3 on Brain Amyloid Load in Single Transgenic hAPP Mice

To assess the in vivo capacity of the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody to bind and clear soluble amyloid out of the brain, 6 month old single hAPP mice, gender and age matched, are used for a passive immunization study with different dose. Soluble Amyloid load is analyzed at the end of the study by harvesting the brain of the animals and by performing an Aβ1-40 and Aβ₁₋₄₂ specific ELISA (TGC, Germany).

8-13 animals per group receive two injections at an interval of one week of 100, 300 and 1000 μg monoclonal antibody in 200 μl PBS whereas injection of PBS alone serves as control. One day after the second injection animals are sacrificed for biochemical analysis of soluble amyloid fraction. To quantify the amount of human Aβ1-40 and human Aβ₁₋₄₂ in the soluble fraction of the brain homogenates and/or in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), commercially available Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbent-Assay (ELISA) kits are used (h Amyloid β40 or β42 ELISA high sensitive, TGC, Switzerland). The ELISA is performed according to the manufacturer's protocol. Briefly, standards (a dilution of synthetic Aβ1-40 or Aβ₁₋₄₂) and samples are prepared in a 96-well polypropylene plate without protein binding capacity (Greiner, Germany). The standard dilutions with final concentrations of 1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.3 and 15.6 pg/ml and the samples are prepared in the sample diluent, furnished with the ELISA kit, to a final volume of 60 Since amyloid levels increase with the age of the mouse and since the actual evaluation requires that the readings of the samples are within the linear part of the standard curve, the samples for Aβ 40 analysis are diluted 2:3, the samples for Aβ42 analysis are not diluted.

Samples, standards and blanks (50 μl) are added to the anti-Aβ-coated polystyrol plate (capture antibody selectively recognizes the C-terminal end of the antigen) in addition with a selective anti-Aβ-antibody conjugate (biotinylated detection antibody) and incubated overnight at 4° C. in order to allow formation of the antibody-Amyloid-antibody-complex. The following day, a Streptavidine-Peroxidase-Conjugate is added, followed 30 minutes later by the addition of a TMB/peroxide mixture, resulting in the conversion of the substrate into a colored product and the color intensity is measured by means of photometry with an ELISA-reader with a 450 nm filter. Quantification of the Aβ content of the samples is obtained by comparing absorbance to the standard curve made with synthetic Aβ1-40 or Aβ₁₋₄₂. Data are expressed as individual changes to mean control value (in percent to control).

Example 1.13 Influence of Chronic Passive Administration of ACI-24-Ab-3 on Plaque Load in Double Transgenic hAPPxPS1 Mice

To assess the in vivo capacity of the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody to bind and reduce amyloid plaques in the brain, 3.5 month old double transgenic hAPPxPS1 mice, gender and age matched, are used for a 4 month long chronic passive immunization study. Amyloid plaques are analyzed at the end of the study by histochemistry of the brain of the animals by binding of Thioflavin S.

15 transgenic animals receive 16 weekly injections of 500 μg monoclonal antibody in PBS. 15 animals are injected with PBS alone, serving as controls. All injections are given intra-peritoneally. At sacrifice, mice are anaesthetized and flushed trans-cardially with physiological serum at 4° C. to remove blood from the brain vessels. Subsequently, the brain is removed from the cranium and hindbrain and forebrain are separated with a cut in the coronal/frontal plane. The forebrain is divided evenly into left and right hemisphere by using a midline sagittal cut. One hemisphere is post-fixed overnight in 4% paraformaldehyde for histology. Sagittal vibratome sections (40 μm) are cut for free floating incubations and stored at 4° C. until staining in PBS with 0.1% sodium azide. Five sections at different levels are stained for dense plaques with Thioflavin S. Sections of all animals used are randomized for staining and blind quantification. Images are acquired with a Leica DMR microscope equipped with a Sony DXC-9100P camera and analyzed with a computer using Leica Q-Win software. Light intensity and condenser settings for the microscope are kept constant throughout the image acquisition process. All acquired images are subjected to the same computer subroutines to minimize investigator bias. Density slice thresholding is applied uniformly throughout analysis. The area of the subiculum is selected for automatic quantification of the amyloid load in the Thioflavin S staining.

Example 1.14 Influence of Passive Vaccination with ACI-24-Ab-3 on Memory Capacity in Single Transgenic hAPP Mice

To analyze the in vivo capacity of the ACI-24-Ab-3 antibody to modify or increase cognitive functionality, 9 month old single hAPP mice, gender and age matched, are used for passive immunization study. Non-spatial cognition is measured at the end of the immunization period assed by new Object Recognition Task (ORT).

12 animals per group receive two intra peritoneal injections of 400 μg monoclonal antibody in 200 μl PBS whereas injection of PBS alone serves as control. One day after the second injection cognitive capability are studied in a new Object Recognition Task (ORT)^(12,13). For ORT enrollment mice are placed for 10 minutes into a behavioral arena and faced to a new unknown object. Exploration time is recorded. Three hours later the same animals are re-placed into the same arena for a 2^(nd) session but faced with the old, previously explored, and additionally with a new object. Again, exploration times for both objects are recorded and resulting cognition index is calculated as the ratio of exploration time for the new object related to total exploration time and expressed as proportional changes to the control.

Example 1.15 Preferential Binding of the Mouse Monoclonal Antibody to High Molecular Weight (HMW) Proto-Fibrillar (PF) Oligomer Enriched Preparation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ Peptide Over Low-Molecular Weight (LMW) Monomers

The binding of mouse anti-amyloid beta monoclonal antibodies to low molecular weight (LMW) monomer Aβ₁₋₄₂ Peptide and higher molecular weight proto-fibrillar (PF), oligomer enriched preparations of Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide may be performed using ELISA.

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using 2 SEC columns, Superdex 75 HR 10/30 (Range 3-70 kDa) and Superose 6 HR 10/30 (Range 5-5,000 kDa), was used to prepare Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide fractions consisting of higher-molecular weight (HMW) proto-fibrillar (PF) oligomer enriched and low-molecular weight (LMW) monomer preparations of Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. The resulting eluates were then stained with uranyl acetate and examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 100 kV to verify the structural morphology of the eluted Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions.

An ELISA was then performed by coating the Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions onto high-binding assay plate at 2 μM over night. The coated plate was then blocked with 1.0% BSA and the ACI-24-Ab-3 (mouse EJ1A9) antibody is added in a serial dilution starting at 20 μg/ml. A serial dilution of a standard antibody (6E10, Chemicon) was also used. Anti-mouse IgG antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase and 4-nitrophenyl phosphate was used for detection of binding. Plates were read at 405 nm. All conditions were assayed in duplicate with coefficient of variation (CV)<0.2.

Binding of the mouse anti-Aβ antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 (mouse EJ1A9) and the control antibody 6E10 was measured by ELISA. Table 1.4 and FIG. 5 show optical density (O.D.) values for the ACI-24-Ab-3 (mouse EJ1A9) antibody upon binding to proto-fibrillar (PF) oligomer enriched and LMW monomer preparations of the human Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. Table 1.5 and FIG. 6 show optical density (O.D.) values for the 6E10 anti-Aβ₁₋₄₂ control antibody upon binding to proto-fibrillar (PF) oligomer enriched and LMW monomer preparations of the human Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide.

These results indicate that ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody shows stronger binding to Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptides having higher-order PF/oligo morphology than that of LMW monomeric peptide. Furthermore, these results suggest that ACI-24-Ab-3 binds to an epitope that is preferentially displayed on proto-fibrillar (PF) oligomer enriched fractions of Aβ_(1-42.)

Example 1.16 Binding of Monoclonal Antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 to Monomers and Oligomers of the Amyloid β₁₋₄₂ Peptide

The binding of the anti-amyloid β antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 (clone: EJ1A9) to monomers and oligomers of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide was assessed. Before being used in the study, the antibody was stored at −80° C. The Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide (W. M. Keck Facility, Yale University) was stored as lyophilized powder until the day of use. All other materials were from Sigma-Aldrich (Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH, Buchs, Switzerland) unless indicated.

To prepare monomers and higher molecular fractions with improved oligomer-enrichment of Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide, an improved methodology was used employing size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Two SEC columns, Supelco TSK G4000PW-XL (range: 10-1500 kDa; Sigma) and Superose 6 HR 10/30 (range 5-5,000 kDa; GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB Uppsala, Sweden), were used to prepare Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide fractions enriched in LMW monomer and higher weight oligomer fractions. The resulting SEC eluates were then stained with uranyl acetate and examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 100 kV to verify the structural morphology of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions (not shown). To investigate the binding of the antibody to the Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions, an ELISA was performed. Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions were coated onto high-binding assay plates at 2.2 μM in PBS for 2 hrs. The coated plates were then washed five times with 0.05% Tween-20 in PBS and blocked with 1.0% BSA. Anti-Aβ antibodies, including the control antibody(6E10) were added in a serial dilution starting at indicated concentrations. Anti-mouse IgG antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (Jackson ImmunoResearch, Suffolk, England), and 4-nitrophenyl phosphate was used for detection of binding. Plates were read at 405 nm following a 14 hr incubation at room temperature. The assay was repeated three times. FIG. 7 shows the mean (±SEM) optical density (O.D.) values obtained from the three separate ELISA assays. Antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 demonstrated superior binding to the Aβ₁₋₄₂ preparation enriched in oligomers as compared to the fraction not enriched in oligomers, and consisting primarily of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomers (FIG. 7A). In comparison, the control antibody 6E10 bound equally well to both Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions. Tables 1.6 and 1.7 show the O.D. values obtained in ELISA assays 1, 2, and 3, for antibodies ACI-24-Ab-3 and 6E10, respectively.

These results indicate that the antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 (clone: EJ1A9) shows superior binding affinity to oligomer-enriched preparations of Aβ₁₋₄₂ than it does to monomeric preparations of Aβ_(1-42.)

Example 1.17 Effect of Monoclonal Antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 on Cultured Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) Apoptosis

To assess the in vitro capacity of the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody to reduce retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death related to ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, cultured RGCs from rats and mice are used.

To isolate the cells, at sacrifice the animals are anesthetized, their eyes are removed and the retina is dissected and incubated in 2 mg/ml papain solution for 25 minutes at 37° C. to break down the extracellular matrix. At the end of treatment, the cells are washed three times with RCG medium in the presence of a protease inhibitor to stop the papain action. The tissue is then triturated by passing it quickly up and down through a Pasteur pipette until the cells are dispersed. A commercially available Coulter counter is used to determine cell density in the cell suspension, before culturing the cells in 95% air/5% CO2 at 37° C.

In order to mimic the damage from ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, and assess the preventive effect of the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody, the cells are incubated with L-glutamate for three days in the presence or absence of the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody. Cells cultured in buffer alone serve as control.

To determine RGC survival, at the end of the incubation period the cells are fixed with 3.7% formaldehyde in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at room temperature for 30 minutes, rinsed three times in PBS and incubated for 1 hour in PBS containing RGC specific markers Thy1.1 or NF-L antibody. The antibody is then removed by washing and the cells are incubated for 30 minutes with the fluorescence-labeled secondary antibodies goat anti-mouse IgG, goat anti-rabbit IgG or rabbit anti-goat IgG. At the end of the incubation, the cells are washed, stained for 5 minutes with DAPI solution and rinsed. Surviving RGCs are counted by fluorescence microscopy and the number of cells present after incubation with the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody are compared to control.

Example 1.18 Effect of the Monoclonal Antibody ACI-24-Ab-3 on Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) Apoptosis in Vivo

To assess the in vivo capacity of the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody to reduce retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in individuals affected by ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, rats and mice are used for a 2 to a 16 week long induced intra-ocular pressure (TOP) study. Retinal ganglion cell death is measured at the end of the study by both in vivo imaging and histological endpoint analysis.

In order to mimic the increase in intra-ocular pressure associated with certain ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, glaucoma in particular, the animals are first anesthetized with intraperitoneal ketamine (75 mg/kg) and xylazine (5 mg/kg) and topical proparacaine 1% eye drops. Two alternative methods are then used to artificially elevate IOP in one eye (unilaterally) in rats and mice. In the first method, the anesthetized animals receive an injection of India ink into the anterior chamber followed by laser-induced photocoagulation of the dye in the trabecular meshwork with a 532-nm diode laser at the slit lamp perpendicular to the trabeculae and parallel to the iris. The animals receive an initial treatment of 40 to 50 spots of 50 μm size, 0.4 W, and 0.6 second duration. In the second method to artificially increase IOP, the anesthetized animals receive a 50 0 injection of hypertonic saline solution into the episcleral veins in one eye using a microneedle with a force just sufficient to blanch the vein.

To measure IOP, a commercially available handheld tonomer (TonoLab) is used. The measurements are taken while the animals are under anesthesia as the average of 12 readings immediately before laser treatment, 1, 4 and 7 days after treatment, and then weekly for the duration of the experiment. If, at an interval of one week, the difference in the IOP between the two eyes of the animals is less than 6 mm Hg, the animals are not further included in the study.

In order to evaluate the preventive effect of the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody on RGC apoptosis, half of the animals receiving the IOP-inducing treatment receive an intravitreal or intravenous injection of the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody at the time of IOP elevation. Half of the animals serve as control. The functional RGCs in the entire retina of eyes with IOP elevation are imaged and counted, and then compared to the number present in the contralateral eyes in the same animals. The difference in RGC number between the two eyes represents cells that have been lost as a result of IOP elevation in the surgical eye. Analysis of changes in this differential value assists in the identification of protective effects elicited by the ACI-24-Ab-3 monoclonal antibody.

The number of RGCs is measured by histological endpoint analysis at 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after induced elevation of IOP. The retinas of the animals are fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and stained in sections or whole mount using the RGC specific marker Brn3b. Multiple studies have demonstrated that loss of Bm3b staining correlates with loss of function in RGCs. To confirm the accuracy of histological RGC labeling, this method may be used in conjunction with backlabeling of the optic nerve from the SCN with DiASP or Fluorogold in a subset of animals to identify RCGs which maintain an intact, functional axon that has not lost connectivity with targets in the brain.

As a secondary endpoint, apoptosis of RGCs is also measured in a subset of eyes. Fluorescently labeled annexin V is used to label apoptotic cells by intravitreal injection of the protein one hour prior to sacrifice of the animal. Retinas are prepared as above and imaging of annexin V is conducted in conjunction with imaging of histological endpoints.

Example 2 Antibody Generated Through Immunization with a Pegylated Supramolecular Antigenic Construct Example 2.1 Methods for Making Supramolecular Antigenic Constructs 2.1.1 Synthesis of Pegylated β-Amyloid Peptide Antigen

To enhance the immune response, an anchor/spacer has been applied to reconstitute the peptide in the liposome, e.g. polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG was covalently attached to the lysine residue bound at both termini of the peptide. At the other end of the chain (PEG n=70) phosphatidyl ethanol amine (PEA) was covalently bound to function as the anchoring element in the liposome bilayer. Thus, the liposome still functions as an adjuvant and the peptide being sufficiently far away from the bilayer can be processed alone and thus increases its immunogenicity as compared to the palmitoylated antigen.

The supramolecular constructs described herein were uniquely synthesized using standard Fmoc/tBu amino acid side-chain protections. Typically, pegylation of peptides results in mixtures of regioisomers. Herein a convenient method for the site-specific attachment of a PEG-lipid conjugate to both the C- and N-terminus of Aβ is demonstrated using partially protected peptides.

For those peptide sequences containing internal Lys or His residues (22-35), an orthogonally protected Lys(ivDde) was added to each terminus. An additional Gly was added to the C-terminal to facilitate synthesis. The Fmoc group was removed with 20% piperidine in DMF and N-acetylated using acetic anhydride. Selective cleavage of the ivDde groups was achieved with 3% hydrazine hydrate in DMF for one hour. The 2-chlorotrityl resin was favored over the more widely used Wang resin since the former proved to be much more resistant to hydrazinolysis. Furthermore, the 2-chlorotrityl resin is extremely acid sensitive and thus, unlike the Wang resin, enables the isolation of protected peptides. Indeed, it was necessary to perform the coupling reaction in the solution phase as coupling of the resin-bound peptide to the pre-activated pegylated lipid reagent DSPE-PEG-SPA did not give rise to any coupling product. Thus selective cleavage from the resin under mild conditions (acetic acid/trifluoroethanol/dichloromethane, 1:1:8, 1 h, rt) gave the internally protected peptides.

Solution-phase couplings were achieved successfully with the peptides derived from sequence Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀, respectively, to DSPE-PEG-SPA in DMSO and excess base. The reactions were then quenched by the addition of excess ethanolamine for 2 h and the solution lyophilized.

For the sequence 29-40, no special protection strategy was required.

Purification by HPLC (semi-preparative reverse-phase C₄ column) gave between 50-70% purity of the N- and C-terminal PEG-lipid conjugates whose identities were confirmed by MALDI (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization). Each sequence showed considerable variation in the ease of the coupling reaction and conditions were adjusted accordingly (temperature, number of molar equivalents DSPE-PEG-SPA, time). For the separation of excess DSPE-PEG-SPA from the desired product HPLC purification is applied. Separation of the mono- and di-coupled products before final side-chain deprotections can be achieved by using cation-exchange chromatography. Subsequent peptide side-chain deprotections and separation of the excess quenched DSPE-PEG-SPA leads to the isolation of the desired conjugates with an acceptable purity.

This approach to the synthesis of N- and C-terminal lipid-PEG β-amyloid antigens using protected peptides is applicable to a wide variety of peptide sequences.

Example 2.2 Antibodies Elicited by Supramolecular Antigenic Constructs

Manufacturing of mAbs Raised Against Pegylated Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and Aβ₂₉₋₄₀ Supramolecular Antigenic Constructs

Liposomal antigens were prepared as described (Nicolau et al., 2002, PNAS, 99, 2332-37). The sequences PEG-Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ and -Aβ₂₉₋₄₀ were reconstituted in a construct consisting of liposomes made of dimyristoyl phosphatidyl choline (DMPC), dimyristoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DMPEA), dimyristoyl phosphatidyl glycerol (DMPG) and cholesterol (0.9: 0.1:0.1:0.7 molar ratios) containing monophosphoryl lipid A (40 mg/mM phospholipids). These antigens were used for the immunization in C57BL/6 mice in 2 week intervals. 10-12 animals were immunized with each antigen. After 3 to 6 boostings, mice with therapeutic titers (when a 1:5,000 dilution of the sera were positive in ELISA) were selected for a fusion. Spleen cells are harvested from the immunized animals and hybridomas generated by fusing sensitized spleen cells with a myeloma cell line. The fusion of the mice's B-lymphocytes from the spleens was conducted with cells of myeloma cell line SP2-0. (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) using the well-known processes of Kohler and Milstein (Nature 256: 495-497 (1975)) and Harlow and Lane (Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York 1988))

The cells were induced to fuse by the addition of polyethylene glycol. The resulting hybrid cells were then cloned in the conventional manner, e.g. using limiting dilution. IgG producing hybridoma clones were selected and tested for their specific binding to the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide by ELISA and the resulting clones, which produce the desired monoclonal antibodies, cultured.

The so obtained hybridomas were chemically selected by plating the cells in a selection medium containing hypoxanthine, aminopterin and thymidine (HAT).

Hybridomas were subsequently screened for the ability to produce monoclonal antibodies against specific amyloid-associated diseases or disorders. Hybridomas producing antibodies of interest were cloned, expanded and stored frozen for future production. The preferred hybridomas produce monoclonal antibodies having the IgG isotype.

Example 2.3 Specificity Determination for Antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11

To analyze the specificity of the antibody ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11, different concentrations of pre-formed Amyloid ₁₋₄₂, 1-40 and 17-40, 1-28 fibrils are blotted onto Hybond ECL Nitrocellulose Membrane (Amersham Biosciences). After blocking with 10% dry milk and 0.7% Tween 20, membranes are incubated with primary antibody at 20 μg/ml for 2 h at RT. After washing, membranes are incubated with horse radish peroxidase conjugated sheep anti-mouse IgG antibody (Amersham Biosciences) for 1 h at RT, washed and incubated with cheminluminescent solution followed by the exposure of the membrane to X-ray film.

To measure binding of the mAb ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 to amyloid β₁₋₄₂, 1-40 and 17-40, 1-28 fibers are pre-formed for seven days at 37° C. and blotted on the membrane. 20 μg/ml antibody is used to measure binding capacity and the bound antibody is detected by horse radish peroxidase conjugated sheep anti-mouse IgG antibody for 20 minutes of exposure.

Example 2.4 Thioflavin T (Th-T) Fluorescent Assay

To measure both inhibition of aggregation as well as disaggregation properties of the mAbs the Thioflavin T (Th-T) fluorescent assay was used which specifically binds to fibrillar Aβ₁₋₄₂ molecules and subsequently the fluorescent emission intensity correlates with the amount of Aβ₁₋₄₂ filaments present in the solution.

Aβ₁₋₄₂ lyophilized powder was reconstituted in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) to 1 mM. The peptide solution was sonicated for 15 min at room temperature, agitated overnight, and aliquots made into non-siliconized microcentrifuge tubes. The HFIP was then evaporated under a stream of argon. The resulting peptide film was vacuum dried for 10 min and stored at −80° C. until used.

2.4.1 Aβ₁₋₄₂ Aggregation Assay

To assay for the antibody-mediated inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ aggregation the antibody was pre-diluted in PBS and an assay solution containing the following components was made in a non-siliconized incubation tube: 3.3 or 0.33 μM pre-diluted antibody, 10 μM thioflavin T, 33 μM Aβ₁₋₄₂, and 8.2% DMSO. Therefore the final molar ratios of antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ were 1:10 and 1:100. Appropriate control solutions were also prepared. The solutions were then incubated for 24 hrs at 37° C., and the spectrofluorescence (relative fluorescence units; RFU) read in six replicates in black 348-well plates (Perkin-Elmer) on a Perkin-Elmer FluoroCount spectrofluorometer. Inhibition of aggregation or disaggregation is expressed as mean % inhibition or disaggregation, respectively, according to the following equation compared to the control:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {Inhibition}} = {\frac{\left( {\begin{pmatrix} {{{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {pos}\mspace{14mu} {contrl}} -} \\ {{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {neg}\mspace{14mu} {contrl}} \end{pmatrix} - \begin{pmatrix} {{{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {sample}\mspace{14mu} {with}\mspace{14mu} A\; \beta_{1 - 42}} -} \\ {{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {sample}\mspace{14mu} {without}\mspace{14mu} A\; \beta_{1 - 42}} \end{pmatrix}} \right)}{100\%} \times \begin{pmatrix} {{{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {pos}\mspace{14mu} {contrl}} -} \\ {{RFU}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {neg}\mspace{14mu} {contrl}} \end{pmatrix}}$

Antibody ACI-11-Ab-9 showed a significant inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ aggregation as compared to the control. At an antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio of 1:100 the inhibition averaged 34% (3 independent experiments), whereas at a 1:10 molar ratio the inhibition was 69% (2 independent experiments).

Antibody ACI-12-Ab-11 also showed a significant inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ aggregation as compared to the control. At an antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio of 1:100 the inhibition averaged 30% (2 independent experiments), whereas at a 1:10 molar ratio the inhibition was 66% (2 independent experiments).

2.4.2 Aβ₁₋₄₂ Disaggregation Assay

To measure the disaggregation properties of the mAb the Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescent assay was used which specifically binds to fibrillar Aβ₁₋₄₂ molecules and subsequently the fluorescent emission intensity correlates with the amount of Aβ₁₋₄₂ filaments present in the solution.

To assay for antibody-mediated disaggregation of pre-aggregated Aβ₁₋₄₂, a low-molecular weight Aβ₁₋₄₂, prepared as described above, was made up as a 110 μM solution in 27% DMSO and 1×PBS. This solution was then allowed to aggregate at 37° C. for 24 hrs after which the following were added: 3.3 or 0.33 μM pre-diluted antibody, and 10 μM thioflavin T. This resulted in a molar ratio of 1:10 and 1:100 antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂, containing 8.2% DMSO. This solution was then incubated for additional 24 hrs at 37° C. The spectrofluorescence was then measured and % disaggregation calculated as described above.

Antibody ACI-11-Ab-9 showed a significant disaggregation of pre-aggregated Aβ₁₋₄₂ in the disaggregation assay. At an antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio of 1:100 the disaggregation averaged 22% (3 independent experiments), whereas at a 1:10 molar ratio the disaggregation was 52% (3 independent experiments).

Antibody ACI-12-Ab-11 also showed a significant disaggregation of pre-aggregated Aβ₁₋₄₂ in the disaggregation assay. At an antibody to Aβ₁₋₄₂ molar ratio of 1:100 the disaggregation averaged 18% (2 independent experiments), whereas at a 1:10 molar ratio the disaggregation was 54% (2 independent experiments).

From the above results it is evident that antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 exhibit bi-functionality in interacting with Aβ₁₋₄₂ filaments, in that both antibodies are capable of inhibiting aggregation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ and disaggregation of preformed Aβ₁₋₄₂ fibers.

Example 2.5 ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 Interactions

The interactions between antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 with amyloid peptide Aβ₁₋₄₂ is studied using surface plasmon resonance. The binding of the mouse antibody to either monomers or fibers of Aβ₁₋₄₂ is determined.

All SPR experiments are carried out on a Biacore X instrument (Biacore AB). Reagents for immobilization (EDC, NHS and ethanolamine), sensor chips CM5 and SA as well as running and sample buffer HBS-EP are purchased from Biacore AB. Sodium acetate (10 mM, pH 5.0) is used as coupling buffer to increase coupling yield. Fibrillar Aβ₁₋₄₂ (BAchem) is prepared by adding PBS buffer to Aβ₁₋₄₂ to a final concentration of 3 mg/ml and leaving the vials at 37° C. for 7 days. Fibrillar Aβ₁₋₄₂ is coupled to a CM5 sensor chip containing a surface-bound carboxymethyl dextran matrix. Biotinylated monomeric Aβ₁₋₄₂ (Bachem) is coupled to a Sensor chip SA consisting of carboxymethyl dextran matrix with covalently attached Streptavidin. Typically four or five concentrations of mAb are assayed by serial dilutions using running buffer. Injections are performed starting from the lowest concentration and are passed over both fc 1 and 2 at a flow rate of 30 ΞL/min for 3 min. Flow cell 2 is underivatised and responses are subtracted from fc 1 to correct for instrument noise and bulk refractive changes. After injection is finished, the surfaces are washed immediately with running buffer for 5 min. To remove remaining bound antibody from the Aβ₁₋₄₂ fibrils, surface regeneration is performed by injecting pulses of 10 mM NaOH. Kinetic analysis is performed using algorithms for numerical integration and global analysis using BIAevaluation 3.0. The curves obtained for injections of analyte at different concentrations are overlaid and the baselines adjusted to zero. For curve fitting, all data are fit simultaneously to a 1:1 homogeneous complex.

Binding of the mouse ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 antibodies to amyloid is determined.

Example 2.6 Binding of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 Monoclonal Antibodies to Amyloid Fibers

To analyze the molecular binding side of antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 on pre-formed fibers negatively contrasted transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) is performed.

The antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 are coupled with 8 nm colloidal gold according to Slot J W, Geuze H J (1985). For the co-incubation of amyloid ₁₋₄₂ (Aβ₁₋₄₂) fibers 6.65 μM fibers are incubated for 24 h at RT with the gold-labeled antibody with the molar ratio of 1:100. Subsequently 5 μl of sample are incubated on the fresh glow-discharged Cu grid (mesh 200) covered with parlodium/C film for 45 seconds, washed 3 times with water and 1 times with 2% fresh diluted and filtered uranyl acetate. Samples are stained in 2% uranyl acetate for 15-20 sec. Excess of stain on the grids is sucked and consequently air-dried. Three grids of each sample are prepared. The grids are analyzed in transmission electron microscopy Hitachi 7000.

Example 2.7 Fractionation by Density-Gradient Ultracentrifugation

The properties of monoclonal antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 in inhibiting Aβ₁₋₄₂ fiber polymerization and disaggregating of Aβ₁₋₄₂-fibers are studied by density-gradient ultracentrifugation (Rzepecki et al., 2004) which is based on the principle to distribute between differently sized resulting peptide fibers after incubation with and without antibodies followed by a SDS-PAGE sedimentation analysis on a preformed gradient (OptiPrep™). Simultaneous analysis of populations of preformed Aβ-fibers, disaggregation and inhibition of aggregation properties of the co-incubated antibodies, and the binding of the antibodies to the fibers are obvious advantages of this methods.

For the inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ aggregation, Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomers are incubated with mAb ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11, respectively, at two different molar ratios (molar ratio of monomer Aβ₁₋₄₂ thirty- or hundred-fold higher than mAb) with the Aβ final concentration of 50 μM. After 24 hrs incubation at 37° C., samples are overlayed over a discontinuous gradient of Optiprep™ and tubes are spun at 259 000 g for 3 hrs at 4° C. 15 fractions are harvested (140 μL each), fraction 1 is the least dense fraction from the top of the gradient and fraction 15 is the densest fraction from the bottom of the gradient. The pellet is also taken. The collected fractions are analyzed by SDS-PAGE with silver staining. The concentration Aβ₁₋₄₂ for inhibition assays is five times less than for disaggregation assays which decrease amyloid aggregation kinetic and ensure measurement within the linear phase.

For the disaggregation of preformed Aβ₁₋₄₂ fibrils by co-incubation with mAb ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 (at two different molar ratios 1:30 and 1:100, mAb+Monomer Aβ₁₋₄₂ with the Aβ final concentration of 246 μM), the samples are incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. After 24 hrs samples are fractioned by ultracentrifugation and separated by SDS-PAGE as described above and before (Rzepecki et al., 2004).

Example 2.8 Fluorescent Assay to Assess Inhibition of Aβ₁₋₄₂ Filament Aggregation and Disaggregation of Preformed Aβ₁₋₄₂ Filaments by Co-Incubation with mAb ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11, Respectively BIS-ANS Fluorescent Assay

To assess the inhibition properties of the mAb the BIS-ANS (LeVine, 2002) fluorescent assay is used which specifically detects the monomer or non-fibrillous population of Aβ₁₋₄₂ filaments. Before fluorescent measurement, Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomers are pre-incubated with either buffer, served as control, or mAb ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 (molar ratio 1:100, mAb vs. Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide) for 14 hours at 37° C. Relative fluorescent units are automatically recorded and results are expressed as changes to the control in percentage.

Example 2.9 NMR and Fluorescence Characterization of the Interaction of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 Monoclonal Antibody with ¹³C-Labeled #-Amyloid ₁₋₄₂ Peptide

To evaluate the potential mechanism by which the mAb solubilize pre-formed fibers or inhibit fiber formation, a head-to-head-experiment between Th-T fluorescent assay and solid-state NMR of U-¹³C Tyr10 and Val12-labeled β-amyloid ₁₋₄₂ peptide is performed. Therefore the aim of this investigation is to follow the β-sheet transition by solid state NMR spectroscopy in the β-amyloid peptide and in the presence of the monoclonal antibody and to directly compare this with disaggregation capacity measured by Th-T fluorescent assay.

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy not only detects a transition in the secondary structure, but it also allows to localize the domains of the Aβ₁₋₄₂-peptide which dominate the structural transition. Solid-state NMR has proven its applicability to the problem as it has contributed to the structure determination of the Aβ₁₋₄₂-fibers (Petkova et al., 2004, Petkova et al., 2002). In particular the correlation of the ¹³C_(α) and ¹³C_(β) chemical shift with the secondary structure (Cornilescu et al., 1999, Luca et al., 2001, Iwadate et al, 1999) is a valuable tool to test changes of the secondary structure within a peptide.

The synthesis of the peptide labeled including a ¹³C pre-labeled valine at position 12 (¹²Val) and a ¹³C pre-labeled tyrosine at position 10 (¹⁰Tyr) is performed by an Fmoc synthesis protocol. Identity and purity of the peptide are confirmed my MALDI mass spectroscopy. The labeled β-amyloid peptide (₁₋₄₂) is used to generate fibers by incubating the peptide solution in PBS buffer for 1 week at 37° C. The major problem, the poor solubility of the amyloid β-peptide in PBS buffer, could be solved in the following manner: The pH value of the PBS buffer is temporarily increased by tiny amounts of ammonia to dissolve the amyloid β-peptide. The original pH value of the PBS buffer is re-obtained by incubating the sample in the presence of a bigger PBS bath using the volatile character of ammonia.

To measure the effect of the β-sheet breaking antibodies, solution of fibers are incubated with the antibody for 24 hours at 37° C. for both NMR and Th-T assay. For real-time comparison an aliquot of the same solution is used for Th-T fluorescent assay and the remaining solution is lyophilized for the NMR measurements.

The disaggregation capacities of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 are analyzed by co-incubation with pre-formed 13C-labeled amyloid β-fibers using Th-T fluorescent assay.

To investigate the differences between PBS (control) and mAb incubation each spectrum is deconvoluted using PeakFit (http://www.systat.com/-products/PeakFit). The lines are well matched by employing a mixed Lorentzian/Gaussian fitting procedure.

Example 2.10 Functionality of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 on Amyloid Fibers

12.1 Modification of Conformation of Aβ₁₋₄₂ Fibers and Initiation of Disaggregation after Binding of the ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 Antibody

In order to evaluate the mechanism by which the antibodies are capable to disaggregate preformed beta-amyloid (Aβ₁₋₄₂) fibers a head-to-head comparison of Thioflavin-T (Th-T) fluorescent assay is performed measuring disaggregation and solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of U-¹³C Tyrosine 10 and Valine 12-labelled Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide analysing secondary conformation.

Example 2.11 Epitope Mapping of Monoclonal Antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11

Epitope mapping of the monoclonal antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 was performed by ELISA using a peptide library comprising a total of 33 biotinylated peptides covering the complete amino acid (aa) sequence of Aβ₁₋₄₂ (produced by Mimotopes, Clayton Victoria, Australia and purchased from ANAWA Trading SA, Wangen Switzerland). The peptides in the peptide library were composed of 8, 9 or 10-mer aa peptides. A biotinylated complete Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide (human sequence) was used as positive control (Bachem, Bubendorf, Switzerland). In addition, longer peptides covering Aβ1-28, Aβ17-40, Aβ1-40 and Aβ₁₋₄₂ were used to define the broader region to which these antibodies may bind. These 4 peptides were also biotinlyated (manufactured by Anaspec and purchased from ANAWA Trading SA, Switzerland). Epitope mapping was done according to the manufacturer's (Mimotopes) instructions. Briefly, Streptavidin coated plates (NUNC, Roskilde, Denmark) were blocked with 0.1% BSA in PBS overnight at 4° C. After washing with PBS-0.05% Tween 20, plates were coated for 1 hour at RT with the different peptides from the library, diluted in 0.1% BSA, 0.1% Sodium Azide in PBS to a final concentration of 10 μM. After washing, plates were incubated for 1 hour at RT with the different antibodies, diluted to 10 μg/ml for antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 in 2% BSA, 0.1% Sodium Azide in PBS. Plates were washed again and incubated with alkaline phosphatase conjugated goat anti mouse IgG (Jackson Immunresearch West Grove, Pa., USA) for 1 h at RT. After final washing, plates were incubated with phosphatase substrate (pNPP, Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, Mo., USA) and read after 3 hours of incubation at 405 nm using an ELISA plate reader.

ACI-11-Ab-9 was shown to bind significantly to Aβ₁₋₄₂, but was unable to bind to any of the short peptides in the peptide library. It is therefore concluded, that the antibody needs more than 8 aa to bind the epitope and/or that ACI-11-Ab-9 may recognize a conformational epitope that is only present in the full length A β₁₋₄₂.

ACI-12-Ab-11 also showed significant binding to Ab₁₋₄₂, but similarly to ACI-11-Ab-9, ACI-12-Ab-11 did not bind to any of the short peptides in the peptide library.

To determine whether antibodies ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 may recognize other Aβ peptides the binding to Aβ1-28, Aβ17-40, and Aβ1-40 and Aβ₁₋₄₂ was evaluated.

ACI-11-Ab-9 showed considerable binding to Aβ1-28, Aβ1-40 and Aβ₁₋₄₂, but did not show any binding to Aβ17-40.

Taken together, these results suggest that the epitope of ACI-11-Ab-9 lies in region 1-28 of Aβ and that the epitope is either longer than 8 aa and/or that the binding to Aβ is dependent on the conformation of Aβ.

ACI-12-Ab-11 showed significant binding to Ab1-40 and Ab₁₋₄₂ but did not show any binding to Aβ1-28 or to Aβ17-40. Thus, ACI-12-Ab-11 could only bind to full-length Aβ1-40 and Aβ₁₋₄₂ and not to any shorter peptides of Aβ. These results suggest that the epitope recognized by ACI-12-Ab-11 is dependent on the conformation of Aβ as even 24- or 28-mers of Aβ were insufficient for binding of the antibody.

Example 2.12 Influence of Passive Vaccination with ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 on Brain Amyloid Load in Single Transgenic hAPP Mice

To assess the in vivo capacity of the ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 monoclonal antibodies to bind and clear soluble amyloid out of the brain, 6 month old single hAPP mice, gender and age matched, are used for a passive immunization study with different dose. Soluble Amyloid load is analyzed at the end of the study by harvesting the brain of the animals and by performing an Aβ1-40 and Aβ₁₋₄₂ specific ELISA (TGC, Germany).

8-13 animals per group receive two injections at an interval of one week of 100, 300 and 1000 μg monoclonal antibody in 200 μl PBS whereas injection of PBS alone serves as control. One day after the second injection animals are sacrificed for biochemical analysis of soluble amyloid fraction. To quantify the amount of human Aβ1-40 and human Aβ₁₋₄₂ in the soluble fraction of the brain homogenates and/or in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), commercially available Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbent-Assay (ELISA) kits are used (h Amyloid β40 or β42 ELISA high sensitive, TGC, Switzerland). The ELISA is performed according to the manufacturer's protocol. Briefly, standards (a dilution of synthetic Aβ1-40 or Aβ₁₋₄₂) and samples are prepared in a 96-well polypropylene plate without protein binding capacity (Greiner, Germany). The standard dilutions with final concentrations of 1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.3 and 15.6 pg/ml and the samples are prepared in the sample diluent, furnished with the ELISA kit, to a final volume of 60 μl. Since amyloid levels increase with the age of the mouse and since the actual evaluation requires that the readings of the samples are within the linear part of the standard curve, the samples for Aβ 40 analysis are diluted 2:3, the samples for Aβ42 analysis are not diluted.

Samples, standards and blanks (50 μl) are added to the anti-Aβ-coated polystyrol plate (capture antibody selectively recognizes the C-terminal end of the antigen) in addition with a selective anti-Aβ-antibody conjugate (biotinylated detection antibody) and incubated overnight at 4° C. in order to allow formation of the antibody-Amyloid-antibody-complex. The following day, a Streptavidine-Peroxidase-Conjugate is added, followed 30 minutes later by the addition of a TMB/peroxide mixture, resulting in the conversion of the substrate into a colored product and the color intensity is measured by means of photometry with an ELISA-reader with a 450 nm filter. Quantification of the Aβ content of the samples is obtained by comparing absorbance to the standard curve made with synthetic Aβ 1-40 or Aβ₁₋₄₂. Data are expressed as individual changes to mean control value (in percent to control).

Example 2.13 Influence of Chronic Passive Administration of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 on Plaque Load in Double Transgenic hAPPxPS1 Mice

To assess the in vivo capacity of the ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 monoclonal antibodies to bind and reduce amyloid plaques in the brain, 3.5 month old double transgenic hAPPxPS1 mice, gender and age matched, are used for a 4 month long chronic passive immunization study. Amyloid plaques are analyzed at the end of the study by histochemistry of the brain of the animals by binding of Thioflavin S.

15 transgenic animals receive 16 weekly injections of 500 μg monoclonal antibody in PBS. 15 animals are injected with PBS alone, serving as controls. All injections are given intra-peritoneally. At sacrifice, mice are anaesthetized and flushed trans-cardially with physiological serum at 4° C. to remove blood from the brain vessels. Subsequently, the brain is removed from the cranium and hindbrain and forebrain are separated with a cut in the coronal/frontal plane. The forebrain is divided evenly into left and right hemisphere by using a midline sagittal cut. One hemisphere is post-fixed overnight in 4% paraformaldehyde for histology. Sagittal vibratome sections (40 μm) are cut for free floating incubations and stored at 4° C. until staining in PBS with 0.1% sodium azide. Five sections at different levels are stained for dense plaques with Thioflavin S. Sections of all animals used are randomized for staining and blind quantification. Images are acquired with a Leica DMR microscope equipped with a Sony DXC-9100P camera and analyzed with a computer using Leica Q-Win software. Light intensity and condenser settings for the microscope are kept constant throughout the image acquisition process. All acquired images are subjected to the same computer subroutines to minimize investigator bias. Density slice thresholding is applied uniformly throughout analysis. The area of the subiculum is selected for automatic quantification of the amyloid load in the Thioflavin S staining.

Example 2.14 Influence of Passive Vaccination with ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 on Memory Capacity in Single Transgenic hAPP Mice

To analyze the in vivo capacity of the ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 antibodies to modify or increase cognitive functionality, 9 month old single hAPP mice, gender and age matched, are used for passive immunization study. Non-spatial cognition is measured at the end of the immunization period assed by new Object Recognition Task (ORT).

12 animals per group receive two intra peritoneal injections of 400 μg monoclonal antibody in 200 μl PBS whereas injection of PBS alone serves as control. One day after the second injection cognitive capability are studied in a new Object Recognition Task (ORT)^(12,13). For ORT enrollment mice are placed for 10 minutes into a behavioral arena and faced to a new unknown object. Exploration time is recorded. Three hours later the same animals are re-placed into the same arena for a 2^(nd) session but faced with the old, previously explored, and additionally with a new object. Again, exploration times for both objects are recorded and resulting cognition index is calculated as the ratio of exploration time for the new object related to total exploration time and expressed as proportional changes to the control.

Example 2.15 Preferential Binding of the Mouse Monoclonal Antibody to High Molecular Weight (HMW) Proto-Fibrillar (PF) Oligomer Enriched Fractions of Aβ₁₋₄₂ Peptide over Low-Molecular Weight (LMW) Monomers

The binding of mouse anti-amyloid beta monoclonal antibodies to low molecular weight (LMW) monomer Aβ₁₋₄₂ and higher molecular weight proto-fibrillar (PF), oligomer enriched preparations of Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide may be performed using ELISA.

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using 2 SEC columns, Superdex 75 HR 10/30 (Range 3-70 kDa) and Superose 6 HR 10/30 (Range 5-5,000 kDa), are used to prepare Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide fractions consisting of higher-molecular weight (HMW) proto-fibrillar (PF), oligomer enriched and low-molecular weight (LMW) monomer preparations of Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. The resulting eluates are then stained with uranyl acetate and are examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 100 kV to verify the structural morphology of the eluted Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions.

An ELISA is then performed by coating the Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions onto high-binding assay plate at 2 μM over night. The coated plate is then blocked with 1.0% BSA and the ACI-24-Ab-3 (mouse EJ1A9) antibody is added in a serial dilution starting at 20 μg/ml. A serial dilution of a standard antibody (6E10, Chemicon) is also used. Anti-mouse IgG antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase and 4-nitrophenyl phosphate are used for detection of binding. Plates are read at 405 nm. All conditions are assayed in duplicate with coefficient of variation (CV)<0.2.

Example 2.16 Binding of ACI-12-Ab-11 Monoclonal Antibody (Clone FK2A6A6) to Monomer- and Oligomer-Enriched Fractions of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ Peptide

The binding of the anti-A⊖ follow-on antibody ACI-12-Ab-11 (clone: FK2A6A6) to monomers and oligomers of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide was assessed. Before being used in the study, the antibody was stored at −80° C. The Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide (W.M. Keck Facility, Yale University) was stored as lyophilized powder until the day of use. All other materials were from Sigma-Aldrich (Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH, Buchs, Switzerland) unless otherwise indicated.

To prepare monomers and higher molecular fractions with improved oligomer-enrichment of Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide, an improved methodology was used employing size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Two SEC columns, Supelco TSK G4000PW-XL (range: 10-1500 kDa; Sigma) and Superose 6 HR 10/30 (range 5-5,000 kDa; GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB Uppsala, Sweden), were used to prepare Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide fractions enriched in LMW monomer and higher weight oligomer fractions. The resulting SEC eluates were then stained with uranyl acetate and examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 100 kV to verify the structural morphology of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions (not shown). To investigate the binding of the antibody to the Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions, an ELISA was performed. Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions were coated onto high-binding assay plates at 2.2 μM in PBS for 2 hrs. The coated plates were then washed five times with 0.05% Tween-20 in PBS and blocked with 1.0% BSA. Anti-Aβ antibodies, including the control antibody (6E10) were added in a serial dilution starting at indicated concentrations. Anti-mouse IgG antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (Jackson ImmunoResearch, Suffolk, England), and 4-nitrophenyl phosphate was used for detection of binding. Plates were read at 405 nm following a 14 hr incubation at room temperature. The assay was repeated three times.

FIG. 16 shows the mean (±SEM) optical density (O.D.) values obtained from the three separate ELISA assays. Antibody ACI-12-Ab-11 demonstrated superior binding to the Aβ₁₋₄₂ fraction enriched in oligomers as compared to the fraction not enriched in oligomers, and consisting primarily of Aβ₁₋₄₂ monomers (FIG. 16A). In comparison, the control antibody 6E10 bound equally well to both Aβ₁₋₄₂ fractions (FIG. 16B). Tables 2.4 and 2.5 show the O.D. values obtained in ELISA assays 1, 2, and 3, for antibodies ACI-12-Ab-11 and 6E10, respectively.

These results indicate that the antibody ACI-12-Ab-11 (clone: FK2A6A6) shows superior binding affinity to oligomer-enriched fractions of Aβ₁₋₄₂ than it does to monomeric Aβ₁₋₄₂.

Example 2.17 Effect of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 on Cultured Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) Apoptosis

To assess the in vitro capacity of the ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 Monoclonal Antibodies to reduce retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death related to ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, cultured RGCs from rats and mice are used.

To isolate the cells, at sacrifice the animals are anesthetized, their eyes are removed and the retina is dissected and incubated in 2 mg/ml papain solution for 25 minutes at 37° C. to break down the extracellular matrix. At the end of treatment, the cells are washed three times with RCG medium in the presence of a protease inhibitor to stop the papain action. The tissue is then triturated by passing it quickly up and down through a Pasteur pipette until the cells are dispersed. A commercially available Coulter counter is used to determine cell density in the cell suspension, before culturing the cells in 95% air/5% CO2 at 37° C.

In order to mimic the damage from ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, and assess the preventive effect of the ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 monoclonal antibodies, the cells are incubated with L-glutamate for three days in the presence or absence of the ACI-11-Ab-9 or ACI-12-Ab-11 monoclonal antibody. Cells cultured in buffer alone serve as control.

To determine RGC survival, at the end of the incubation period the cells are fixed with 3.7% formaldehyde in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at room temperature for 30 minutes, rinsed three times in PBS and incubated for 1 hour in PBS containing RGC specific markers Thy1.1 or NF-L antibody. The antibody is then removed by washing and the cells are incubated for 30 minutes with the fluorescence-labeled secondary antibodies goat anti-mouse IgG, goat anti-rabbit IgG or rabbit anti-goat IgG. At the end of the incubation, the cells are washed, stained for 5 minutes with DAPI solution and rinsed. Surviving RGCs are counted by fluorescence microscopy and the number of cells present after incubation with the ACI-11-Ab-9 or ACI-12-Ab-11 monoclonal antibody are compared to control.

Example 2.18 Effect of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 on Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) Apoptosis in Vivo

To assess the in vivo capacity of the ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 monoclonal antibodies to reduce retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in individuals affected by ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, rats and mice are used for a 2 to a 16 week long induced intra-ocular pressure (TOP) study. Retinal ganglion cell death is measured at the end of the study by both in vivo imaging and histological endpoint analysis.

In order to mimic the increase in intra-ocular pressure associated with certain ocular diseases associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as, for example, neuronal degradation, glaucoma in particular, the animals are first anesthetized with intraperitoneal ketamine (75 mg/kg) and xylazine (5 mg/kg) and topical proparacaine 1% eye drops. Two alternative methods are then used to artificially elevate IOP in one eye (unilaterally) in rats and mice. In the first method, the anesthetized animals receive an injection of India ink into the anterior chamber followed by laser-induced photocoagulation of the dye in the trabecular meshwork with a 532-nm diode laser at the slit lamp perpendicular to the trabeculae and parallel to the iris. The animals receive an initial treatment of 40 to 50 spots of 50 μm size, 0.4 W, and 0.6 second duration. In the second method to artificially increase IOP, the anesthetized animals receive a 50 μl injection of hypertonic saline solution into the episcleral veins in one eye using a microneedle with a force just sufficient to blanch the vein.

To measure IOP, a commercially available handheld tonomer (TonoLab) is used. The measurements are taken while the animals are under anesthesia as the average of 12 readings immediately before laser treatment, 1, 4 and 7 days after treatment, and then weekly for the duration of the experiment. If, at an interval of one week, the difference in the IOP between the two eyes of the animals is less than 6 mm Hg, the animals are not further included in the study.

In order to evaluate the preventive effect of the ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 monoclonal antibodies on RGC apoptosis, half of the animals receiving the IOP-inducing treatment receive an intravitreal or intravenous injection of the ACI-11-Ab-9 or ACI-12-Ab-11 monoclonal antibody at the time of IOP elevation. Half of the animals serve as control. The functional RGCs in the entire retina of eyes with IOP elevation are imaged and counted, and then compared to the number present in the contralateral eyes in the same animals. The difference in RGC number between the two eyes represents cells that have been lost as a result of IOP elevation in the surgical eye. Analysis of changes in this differential value assists in the identification of protective effects elicited by the ACI-11-Ab-9 or ACI-12-Ab-11 monoclonal antibody.

The number of RGCs is measured by histological endpoint analysis at 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after induced elevation of IOP. The retinas of the animals are fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and stained in sections or whole mount using the RGC specific marker Brn3b. Multiple studies have demonstrated that loss of Brn3b staining correlates with loss of function in RGCs. To confirm the accuracy of histological RGC labeling, this method may be used in conjunction with backlabeling of the optic nerve from the SCN with DiASP or Fluorogold in a subset of animals to identify RCGs which maintain an intact, functional axon that has not lost connectivity with targets in the brain.

As a secondary endpoint, apoptosis of RGCs is also measured in a subset of eyes. Fluorescently labeled annexin V is used to label apoptotic cells by intravitreal injection of the protein one hour prior to sacrifice of the animal. Retinas are prepared as above and imaging of annexin V is conducted in conjunction with imaging of histological endpoints.

Example 3 Inhibition of Aβ₄₂-ApoE4 Binding

The binding of ApoE4 to amyloid and the capacity of the monoclonal antibodies according to the invention to inhibit the interaction between ApoE4 and Aβ₄₂ peptide are assessed.

Human recombinant ApoE4 is diluted to 200 nM with PBS, and stored in 0.5 ml aliquots at −80° C. 1 mg of Aβ₄₂-biotin peptide is resuspended in 20 μl of DMSO and then in 1980 μl of PBS/0.1% BSA/0.1% sodium azide to obtain a final solution of 0.5 mg/ml. An ELISA assay is used to determine the binding of rhApoE4 to Aβ₄₂. rhApoE4 (100 nM) is incubated for 3 hrs at 37° C. with Aβ₄₂-biotin (1 μM) to allow the binding of the protein to the peptide. The mixture is applied on a streptavidin-coated plate previously washed 3 times with PBST (PBS+0.05% Tween 20). After 1 h incubation at room temperature (RT) the plate is washed 3 times with PBST and blocked overnight at 4° C. with PBS containing 0.1% BSA. Bound ApoE4 is detected with an IgG1 mouse anti-human ApoE antibody used at a dilution of 1:3000 in PBS and applied on the plate for 2.5 hrs at RT. The plate is washed 4 times with PBST and then incubated 1 hour at RT with the detection antibody, an anti-mouse IgG coupled to Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) at a dilution of 1:5000 in PBS. After a final wash with 4×PBST, plates are incubated for 5.5 hrs with AP substrate pNPP (Phosphatase substrate, 4-Nitrophenyl phosphate Disodium salt Hexahydrate) and read at 405 nm using an ELISA plate reader. FIG. 17 summarizes the experiment.

The ELISA assay is developed by making 8 times 2-fold dilutions of a mix of rhApoE4 (150 nM) and Aβ₄₂-biotin (1.5 μM). The following negative controls are added: (1) rhApoE4 alone; (2) Aβ₄₂-biotin; and (3) rhApoE4-Aβ₄₂-biotin (protocol without mouse anti-ApoE4). FIG. 18 shows that a positive signal is obtained only when both rhApoE4 and Aβ₄₂-biotin are present and the complete ELISA protocol is followed.

To optimize the concentrations of rhApoE4 and Aβ₄₂-biotin in the assay, dilutions of rhApoE4 (e.g., 150 nM) are tested with a constant concentration of Aβ₄₂-biotin (e.g., normal: 1.5 μM or excess: 15 μM). FIG. 19 shows that an excess of Aβ₄₂-biotin dilutes the signal of the ELISA assay as less Aβ₄₂-biotin complexed to rhApoE4 binds to the plate. Based on this test an optimal concentration of rhApoE4 is selected.

The concentration of Aβ₄₂-biotin in the assay is optimized using a constant concentration of rhApoE4 of 100 nM. Dilutions of Aβ₄₂-biotin (e.g., with a starting concentration of 1.5 μM (diluted to lower concentrations, for example as low as 1500 nM)) are tested in the ELISA set-up. Based on the results shown in FIG. 20, an optimal concentration of 1 μM of Aβ₄₂-biotin is selected to determine the effect of the monoclonal antibodies on the binding of rhApoE4 to Aβ₄₂-biotin.

The effect of one or more of the antibodies of the invention on the binding of rhApoE4 to Aβ₄₂-biotin is assessed using the above-described ELISA assay, but further including the antibody of the invention in the binding mixture prior to plating. For example, two-fold dilutions of the antibody may be used, starting at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. The inclusion of the antibody may be at the time when ApoE4 and Aβ₄₂-biotin are first combined, or it may be after (e.g., several hours after) the ApoE4 and Aβ₄₂-biotin were first combined. In the former instance, the ability of the antibody of the invention to prevent or inhibit the interaction of ApoE4 and Aβ₄₂-biotin is assessed, whereas in the latter instance, the ability of the antibody of the invention to disrupt a preexisting complex between ApoE4 and Aβ₄₂-biotin is assessed.

TABLES

TABLE 1.1 Antibodies and antigenic constructs used for raising said antibodies Mouse Antigen/ mAb Clone Isotype Sequence Linker Anchor Adjuvant mACI-24- EJ1A9 IgG1 Aβ₁₋₁₅ — Palm Lipid A Ab3

TABLE 1.2 Binding of Aβ peptides to ACI-24-Ab-3. Results are expressed as O.D. after background subtraction. Antibody Peptide ACI-24-Ab-3 1-28¹ Mean 0.13 SD 0.08 SEM 0.06 17-40¹  Mean −0.23 SD 0.07 SEM 0.05 1-40¹ Mean 0.90 SD 0.22 SEM 0.16 ₁₋₄₂A¹ Mean 0.31 SD 0.35 SEM 0.24 ₁₋₄₂B² Mean 0.27 SD 0.07 SEM 0.05 ¹Peptide from Anaspec ²Peptide from Bachem

TABLE 1.3 Binding of ACI-24-Ab-3 to 33 Overlapping Peptides of Aβ₁₋₄₂ as Analyzed by ELISA . . . Antibody Peptide ACI-24-Ab-3  1 0.32  2 0.26  3 0.37  4 0.36  5 0.32  6 0.34  7 0.30  8 0.21  9 0.19 10 0.20 11 0.23 12 0.34 13 0.23 14 0.30 15 0.32 16 0.34 17 0.31 18 0.30 19 0.30 20 0.22 21 0.21 22 0.21 23 0.20 24 0.18 25 0.23 26 0.25 27 0.26 28 0.26 29 0.27 30 0.29 31 0.31 32 0.31 33 0.26 Aβ₁₋₄₂ 0.36 Aβ₁₋₄₂ 0.36 Aβ₁₋₄₂ 0.35

TABLE 1.4 Binding of the ACI-24-Ab-3 (mouse EJ1A9) antibody to High Molecular Weight (HMW) Proto-Fibrillar and LMW Monomeric Preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ Peptide. Aβ₁₋₄₂ preparation ACI-24-Ab-3 Proto-fibrils LMW monomers O.D. (μg/ml) (O.D.) (O.D.) difference 20 3.765 1.946 1.82 10 2.546 0.836 1.71 5 1.629 0.619 1.01 2.5 1.101 0.331 0.77 1.25 0.642 0.295 0.35 0.6250 0.457 0.177 0.28 0.3125 0.253 0.143 0.11 0.1563 0.167 0.115 0.05

TABLE 1.5 Binding of the 6E10 control antibody to High Molaecular Weight (HMW) Proto-Fibrillar and LMW Monomeric Preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ Peptide. Aβ₁₋₄₂ preparation 6E10 Proto-fibrils LMW monomers O.D. (μg/ml) (O.D.) (O.D.) difference 1 2.550 2.677 0.13 0.5 1.998 2.126 0.13 0.25 1.442 1.563 0.12 0.125 0.863 0.999 0.14 0.0625 0.544 0.574 0.03 0.0313 0.286 0.329 0.04 0.0156 0.201 0.207 0.01 0.0078 0.116 0.133 0.02

TABLE 1.6 Binding of the ACI-24-Ab-3 (mouse EJ1A9) antibody to oligomer- and monomer- enriched preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. Antibody Monomers (O.D.) Oligomers (O.D.) dilution^(b) Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Mean SEM Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Mean SEM 1:1 2.03 0.95 1.82 1.60 0.33 2.74 3.65 3.13 3.17 0.26 1:2 1.17 0.57 1.16 0.97 0.20 1.84 3.26 2.25 2.45 0.42 1:4 0.83 0.37 0.86 0.69 0.16 1.16 2.62 1.57 1.79 0.43 1:8 0.55 0.24 0.56 0.45 0.10 0.84 1.87 1.10 1.27 0.31 1:16 0.39 0.15 0.34 0.29 0.07 0.59 1.22 0.69 0.83 0.20 1:32 0.28 0.10 0.23 0.20 0.05 0.31 0.73 0.42 0.49 0.13 1:64 0.22 0.10 0.18 0.17 0.04 0.27 0.41 0.32 0.33 0.04 1:128 0.18 0.10 0.18 0.15 0.03 0.21 0.24 0.28 0.24 0.02 ^(a)O.D.: optical density at 405 nm ^(b)Starting dilution for ACI-24-Ab-3 (clone: EJ1A9) was 30 μg/ml

TABLE 1.7 Binding of the 6E10 control antibody to oligomer- and monomer- enriched preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ peptide. Antibody Monomers (O.D.) Oligomers (O.D.) dilution^(b) Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Mean SEM Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Mean SEM 1:1 3.67 3.77 4.04 3.83 0.11 3.36 3.67 3.89 3.64 0.15 1:2 3.30 3.48 4.00 3.59 0.21 3.39 3.55 3.83 3.59 0.13 1:4 3.00 3.29 3.52 3.27 0.15 3.10 3.37 3.64 3.37 0.16 1:8 2.67 3.00 2.80 2.82 0.10 2.73 2.99 3.23 2.98 0.15 1:16 1.78 1.94 2.23 1.98 0.13 1.78 1.92 2.07 1.92 0.08 1:32 1.18 1.34 1.54 1.36 0.10 1.27 1.30 1.40 1.32 0.04 1:64 0.81 0.94 1.08 0.94 0.08 0.93 0.88 0.95 0.92 0.02 1:128 0.64 0.75 0.86 0.75 0.06 0.62 0.61 0.66 0.63 0.02 ^(a)O.D.: optical density at 405 nm ^(b)Starting dilution for 6E10 was 0.5 μg/ml

TABLE 2.1 Antibodies and antigenic constructs used for raising said antibodies Antigen/ Mouse mAb Clone Sequence Linker Anchor Adjuvant ACI-11-Ab-9 FG1F9E4 Aβ₂₂₋₃₅ PEG DSPE Lipid A ACI-12-Ab-11 FK2A6A6 Aβ₂₉₋₄₀ PEG DSPE Lipid A

TABLE 2.2 Binding of Aβ peptides to ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11. Results are expressed as O.D. after background subtraction. Antibody Antibody Peptide ACI-11-Ab-9 ACI-12-Ab-11 1-28¹ Mean 0.53 −0.02 SD 0.06 0.00 SEM 0.04 0.00 17-40¹  Mean 0.02 −0.02 SD 0.04 0.01 SEM 0.03 0.00 1-40¹ Mean 1.02 0.62 SD 0.39 0.18 SEM 0.27 0.13 ₁₋₄₂A¹ Mean 0.78 0.44 SD 0.12 0.15 SEM 0.08 0.11 ₁₋₄₂B² Mean 1.54 1.07 SD 0.38 0.20 SEM 0.27 0.14 ¹Peptide from Anaspec ²Peptide from Bachem

TABLE 2.3 Binding of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11 to 33 overlapping peptides of Aβ₁₋₄₂ as analyzed by ELISA. Antibody Antibody Peptide ACI-11-Ab-9 ACI-12-Ab-11  1 0.10 0.10  2 0.10 0.10  3 0.12 0.11  4 0.11 0.10  5 0.11 0.10  6 0.11 0.10  7 0.11 0.10  8 0.11 0.10  9 0.11 0.10 10 0.13 0.10 11 0.11 0.11 12 0.24 0.21 13 0.17 0.15 14 0.16 0.12 15 0.14 0.10 16 0.14 0.14 17 0.13 0.12 18 0.11 0.10 19 0.10 0.10 20 0.10 0.10 21 0.10 0.09 22 0.10 0.10 23 0.11 0.10 24 0.10 0.10 25 0.11 0.11 26 0.12 0.12 27 0.13 0.12 28 0.12 0.11 29 0.20 0.11 30 0.11 0.11 31 0.12 0.11 32 0.12 0.11 33 0.11 0.11 Aβ₁₋₄₂ 0.80 0.69 Aβ₁₋₄₂ 0.81 0.69 Aβ₁₋₄₂ 0.80 0.69

TABLE 2.4 Binding of ACI-12-Ab-11 (clone: FK2A6A6) to Monomer- and Oligomer-Enriched Preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ Peptide Antibody Monomers (O.D.) Oligomers (O.D.) dilution^(b) Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Mean SEM Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Mean SEM 1:1 1.60 1.04 1.37 1.34 0.16 2.24 1.85 2.27 2.12 0.14 1:2 0.85 0.51 0.75 0.70 0.10 1.33 1.04 1.32 1.23 0.10 1:4 0.53 0.30 0.45 0.43 0.07 0.70 0.64 0.80 0.71 0.05 1:8 0.29 0.18 0.25 0.24 0.03 0.44 0.42 0.47 0.44 0.02 1:16 0.25 0.12 0.18 0.18 0.04 0.30 0.25 0.28 0.28 0.01 1:32 0.19 0.10 0.14 0.14 0.03 0.20 0.16 0.20 0.18 0.01 1:64 0.15 0.09 0.13 0.12 0.02 0.19 0.14 0.16 0.16 0.01 1:128 0.14 0.09 0.12 0.12 0.02 0.16 0.14 0.15 0.15 0.01 ^(a)O.D.: optical density at 405 nm ^(b)Starting dilution for ACI-12-Ab-12 (clone: FK2A6A6) was 40 μg/ml

TABLE 2.5 Binding of the 6E10 control antibody to Monomer- and Oligomer- Enriched Preparations of the Aβ₁₋₄₂ Peptide Antibody Monomers (O.D.) Oligomers (O.D.) dilution^(b) Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Mean SEM Assay 1 Assay 2 Assay 3 Mean SEM 1:1 3.67 3.77 4.04 3.83 0.11 3.36 3.67 3.89 3.64 0.15 1:2 3.30 3.48 4.00 3.59 0.21 3.39 3.55 3.83 3.59 0.13 1:4 3.00 3.29 3.52 3.27 0.15 3.10 3.37 3.64 3.37 0.16 1:8 2.67 3.00 2.80 2.82 0.10 2.73 2.99 3.23 2.98 0.15 1:16 1.78 1.94 2.23 1.98 0.13 1.78 1.92 2.07 1.92 0.08 1:32 1.18 1.34 1.54 1.36 0.10 1.27 1.30 1.40 1.32 0.04 1:64 0.81 0.94 1.08 0.94 0.08 0.93 0.88 0.95 0.92 0.02 1:128 0.64 0.75 0.86 0.75 0.06 0.62 0.61 0.66 0.63 0.02 ^(a)O.D.: optical density at 405 nm ^(b)Starting dilution for 6E10 was 0.5 μg/ml

Deposits

The following hybridoma cell lines were deposited with the “Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ) in Braunschweig, Mascheroder Weg 1 B, 38124 Branuschweig, under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty:

Hybridoma line designation Antibody designation Deposition date Accession No EJ1A9 ACI-24-Ab-3 May 25, 2007 DSM ACC2844 FG1F9E4 ACI-11-Ab-9 May 25, 2007 DSM ACC2845 FK2A6A6 ACI-12-Ab-11 May 25, 2007 DSM ACC2846

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1. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3.
 2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, is selected from the group consisting of cortical visual deficits, glaucoma, primary retinal degeneration, including macular degeneration, optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, cataract, ocular amyloidosis and lattice dystrophy.
 3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein the ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, is glaucoma.
 4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 3, wherein the glaucoma is selected from the group consisting of chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG), acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG), mixed or combined mechanism glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma and exfoliative glaucoma.
 5. A method for reducing the plaque load in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a subject suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the animal the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 1. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mammal is a human.
 8. A method for reducing the amount of plaques in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a subject suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the animal the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 1. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mammal is a human.
 11. A method for decreasing the total amount of soluble amyloid-β in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a subject comprising administering to the animal the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 1. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mammal is a human.
 14. A method for preventing, treating or alleviating the effects of an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject comprising administering to the animal the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 1. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the mammal is a human.
 17. A method for diagnosing an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject comprising detecting the immunospecific binding of the monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3, a functionally equivalent antibody thereof or functional parts thereof, to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ which includes the steps of (a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody according to the invention, which antibody binds an epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex, particularly such that presence or absence of the immunological complex correlates with presence or absence of amyloid protein; and (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the mammal is a human.
 20. A method for diagnosing a predisposition to an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject comprising detecting the specific binding of the monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3, a functionally equivalent antibody thereof or functional parts thereof, to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ which includes the steps of (a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with the antibody, wherein the antibody binds a conformational epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the antibody to bind to any amyloid protein in the sample to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex; (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area; and (e) comparing the amount of said immunological complex to a normal control value, wherein an increase in the amount of said complex compared to a normal control value indicates that the subject is suffering from or is at risk of developing an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the mammal is a human.
 23. A method for monitoring minimal residual ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject following treatment with the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein said method comprises: (a) bringing a sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with the monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3, a functionally equivalent antibody thereof or functional parts thereof, which monoclonal antibody binds an epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the monoclonal antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex; (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area; and (e) comparing the amount of said immunological complex to a normal control value, wherein an increase in the amount of said complex compared to a normal control value indicates that the subject still suffers from a minimal residual ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the mammal is a human.
 26. A method for predicting responsiveness of a subject being treated with the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a) bringing a sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain an amyloid protein into contact with the monoclonal antibody ACI-24-Ab-3, a functionally equivalent antibody thereof or functional parts thereof, which monoclonal antibody binds an epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the monoclonal antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex; (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area; and (e) comparing the amount of said immunological complex before and after onset of the treatment, wherein a decrease in the amount of said immunological complex indicates that the subject has a high potential of being responsive to the treatment.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the mammal is a human.
 29. A method for retaining or decreasing ocular pressure in the eyes of a subject suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 1. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the mammal is a human.
 32. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of ACI-11-Ab-9 and ACI-12-Ab-11.
 33. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 32, wherein the ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, is selected from the group consisting of cortical visual deficits, glaucoma, primary retinal degeneration, including macular degeneration, optic nerve drusen, optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, cataract, ocular amyloidosis and lattice dystrophy.
 34. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 33, wherein the ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, is glaucoma.
 35. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 34, wherein the glaucoma is selected from the group consisting of chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG), acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG), mixed or combined mechanism glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma and exfoliative glaucoma.
 36. A method for reducing the plaque load in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a subject suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the subject the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 32. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the mammal is a human.
 39. A method for reducing the amount of plaques in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a subject suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the subject the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 32. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the mammal is a human.
 42. A method for decreasing the total amount of soluble amyloid-β in the retinal ganglion cell layer of a subject comprising administering to the animal the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 32. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the mammal is a human.
 45. A method for preventing, treating or alleviating the effects of an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject comprising administering to the animal the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 32. 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the mammal is a human.
 48. A method for diagnosing an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject comprising detecting the immunospecific binding of a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of ACI-11-Ab-9, ACI-12-Ab-11, functionally equivalent antibodies thereof and functional parts thereof, to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ which includes the steps of (a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with an antibody according to the invention, which antibody binds an epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex, particularly such that presence or absence of the immunological complex correlates with presence or absence of amyloid protein; and (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the mammal is a human.
 51. A method for diagnosing a predisposition to an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject comprising detecting the specific binding of a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of ACI-1′-Ab-9, ACI-12-Ab-11, functionally equivalent antibodies thereof and functional parts thereof, to an epitope of the amyloid protein in a sample or in situ which includes the steps of (a) bringing the sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with the antibody, wherein the antibody binds a conformational epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the antibody to bind to any amyloid protein in the sample to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex; (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area; and (e) comparing the amount of said immunological complex to a normal control value, wherein an increase in the amount of said complex compared to a normal control value indicates that the subject is suffering from or is at risk of developing an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system.
 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the mammal is a human.
 54. A method for monitoring minimal residual ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, in a subject following treatment with the pharmaceutical composition of claim 32, wherein said method comprises: (a) bringing a sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain the amyloid protein into contact with a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of ACI-11-Ab-9, ACI-12-Ab-11, functionally equivalent antibodies thereof and functional parts thereof, which monoclonal antibody binds an epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the monoclonal antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex; (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area; and (e) comparing the amount of said immunological complex to a normal control value, wherein an increase in the amount of said complex compared to a normal control value indicates that the subject still suffers from a minimal residual ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system.
 55. The method of claim 54, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the mammal is a human.
 57. A method for predicting responsiveness of a subject being treated with the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a) bringing a sample or a specific body part or body area suspected to contain an amyloid protein into contact with a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of ACI-11-Ab-9, ACI-12-Ab-11, functionally equivalent antibodies thereof and functional parts thereof, which monoclonal antibody binds an epitope of the amyloid protein; (b) allowing the monoclonal antibody to bind to the amyloid protein to form an immunological complex; (c) detecting the formation of the immunological complex; (d) correlating the presence or absence of the immunological complex with the presence or absence of amyloid protein in the sample or specific body part or area; and (e) comparing the amount of said immunological complex before and after onset of the treatment, wherein a decrease in the amount of said immunological complex indicates that the subject has a high potential of being responsive to the treatment.
 58. The method of claim 57, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the mammal is a human.
 60. A method for retaining or decreasing ocular pressure in the eyes of a subject suffering from an ocular disease associated with pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, particularly associated with amyloid-beta-related pathological abnormalities/changes in the tissues of the visual system, such as neuronal degradation, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 32. 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the subject is a mammal.
 62. The method of claim 61, wherein the mammal is a human. 